fun at home--and I might as well be seeing people--and going about
with you--though I do have to play second fiddle. You're rich, of
course--everybody's nice to you--"

She paused. Diana, struck dumb, could find, for the moment, nothing to
say. The red named in Fanny's cheeks, and she turned away with
a flounce.

"Oh, well, you'd better say it at once--you're ashamed of me! I haven't
had your blessed advantages! Do you think I don't know that!"

In the girl's heightened voice and frowning brow there was a touch of
fury, of goaded pride, that touched Diana with a sudden remorse. She ran
toward her cousin--appealing:

"I'm _very_ sorry, Fanny. I--I don't like to leave you--but they are my
great friends--and Lady Lucy, though she's very kind, is very
old-fashioned. One couldn't take the smallest liberty with her. I don't
think I could ask to take you--when they are quite by themselves--and
the house is only half mounted. But Mrs. Colwood and I had been thinking
of several things that might amuse you--and I shall only be two
nights away."

"I don't want any amusing--thanks!" said Fanny, walking to the door.

She closed it behind her. Diana clasped her hands overhead in a gesture
of amazement.

"To quarrel with me about that--after--the other thing!"

No!--not Tallyn!--not Tallyn!--anywhere, anything, but that!

Was she proud?--snobbish? Her eyes filled with tears, but her will
hardened. What was to be gained? Fanny would not like them, nor
they her.

* * * * *

The luncheon-party had been arranged for Mr. Birch, Fanny's train
acquaintance. Diana had asked the Roughsedges, explaining the matter,
with a half-deprecating, half-humorous face, to the comfortable ear of
Mrs. Roughsedge. Explanation was necessary, for this particular young
man was only welcome in those houses of the neighborhood which were not
socially dainty. Mrs. Roughsedge understood at once--laughed
heartily--accepted with equal heartiness--and then, taking Diana's hand,
she said, with a shining of her gray eye:

"My dear, if you want Henry and me to stand on our heads we will attempt
it with pleasure. You are an angel!--and angels are not to be worried by
solicitors."

The first part of which remark referred to a certain morning after
Hugh's announcement of his appointment to the Nigerian expedition, when
Diana had shown the old people a sweet and daughter-like sympathy, which
had entirely won whatever portion o