than upon other
people. The rumor had preceded her arrival that Marsham had been very
much "smitten" with her amid the pine woods of Portofino. Marsham's
taste was good--emphatically good. At the same time it was clear that
the lady was no mere facile and commonplace girl. It was Forbes's
opinion, based on the scene of the previous evening, that there might be
a good deal of wooing to be done.

* * * * *

"There are so many things I wanted to show you--and to talk about!" said
Oliver Marsham, confidentially, to Diana, in the hall after
breakfast--"but this horrid shoot will take up all the day! If the
weather is not too bad, I think some of the ladies meant to join us at
luncheon. Will you venture?"

His tone was earnest; his eyes indorsed it. Diana hoped it might be
possible to come. Marsham lingered beside her to the last minute; but
presently final orders had to be given to keepers, and country neighbors
began to arrive.

"They do the thing here on an enormous scale," said Bobbie Forbes,
lounging and smoking beside Diana; "it's almost the biggest shoot in the
county. Amusing, isn't it?--in this Radical house. Do you see that
man McEwart?"

Diana turned her attention upon the young member of Parliament who had
arrived the night before--plain, sandy-haired, with a long flat-backed
head, and a gentlemanly manner.

"I suspect a good deal's going on here behind the scenes," said Bobbie,
dropping his voice. "That man Barton may be a fool to talk, but he's a
great power in the House with the other Labor men. And McEwart has been
hand and glove with Marsham all this Session. They're trying to force
Ferrier's hand. Some Bill the Labor men want--and Ferrier won't hear of.
A good many people say we shall see Marsham at the head of a Fourth
Party of his own very soon, _Se soumettre, ou se demettre!_--well, it
may come to that--for old Ferrier. But I'll back him to fight his
way through."

"How can Mr. Marsham oppose him?" asked Diana, in wonder, and some
indignation with her companion. "He is the Leader of the party, and
besides--they are such friends!"

Forbes looked rather amused at her womanish view of things. "Friends? I
should rather think so!"

By this time he and Diana were strolling up and down the winter garden
opening out of the hall, which was now full of a merry crowd waiting
for the departure of the shooters. Suddenly Forbes paused.

"Do you see that?"

Diana's eyes fol