could have
no possible interests in common. And, perhaps, on one of his week-end
visits to Tallyn and Beechcote, he might get a few minutes' conversation
with Mrs. Colwood which would throw some light on the new guest.

* * * * *

Diana meanwhile, assisted by Mrs. Colwood, was hovering about her
cousin. She and Miss Merton had kissed each other in the hall, and then
Diana, seized with a sudden shyness, led her guest into the drawing-room
and stood there speechless, a little; holding her by both hands and
gazing at her; mastered by feeling and excitement.

"Well, you _have_ got a queer old place!" said Fanny Merton, withdrawing
herself. She turned and looked about her, at the room, the flowers, the
wide hearth, with its blazing logs, at Mrs. Colwood, and finally
at Diana.

"We are so fond of it already!" said Diana. "Come and get warm." She
settled her guest in a chair by the fire, and took a stool beside her.
"Did you like Devonshire?"

The girl made a little face.

"It was awfully quiet. Oh, my friends, of course, made a lot of fuss
over me--and that kind of thing. But I wouldn't live there, not if
you paid me."

"We're very quiet here," said Diana, timidly. She was examining the face
beside her, with its bright crude color, its bold eyes, and sulky mouth,
slightly underhung.

"Oh, well, you've got some good families about, I guess. I saw one or
two awfully smart carriages waiting at the station."

"There are a good many nice people," murmured Diana. "But there is not
much going on."

"I expect you could invite a good many here if you wanted," said the
girl, once more looking round her. "Whatever made you take this place?"

"I like old things so much," laughed Diana. "Don't you?"

"Well, I don't know. I think there's more style about a new house. You
can have electric light and all that sort of thing."

Diana admitted it, and changed the subject. "Had the journey been cold?"

Freezing, said Miss Merton. But a young man had lent her his fur coat to
put over her knees, which had improved matters. She laughed--rather
consciously.

"He lives near here. I told him I was sure you'd ask him to something,
if he called."

"Who was he?"

With much rattling of the bangles on her wrists, Fanny produced a card
from her hand-bag. Diana looked at it in dismay. It was the card of a
young solicitor whom she had once met at a local tea-party, and decided
to avoid thenceforward.

Sh