e began to emerge, stamped with a
woman's character and reflecting her enthusiasms. As she assisted in the
task, Mrs. Colwood learned many things. She gathered that Miss Mallory
read two or three languages, that she was passionately fond of French
memoirs and the French classics, that her father had taught her Latin
and German, and guided every phase of her education. Traces indeed of
his poetic and scholarly temper were visible throughout his daughter's
possessions--so plainly, that at last as they came nearly to the end of
the books, Diana's gayety once more disappeared. She moved soberly and
dreamily, as though the past returned upon her; and once or twice Mrs.
Colwood came upon her standing motionless, her finger in an open book,
her eyes wandering absently through the casement windows to the distant
wall of hill. Sometimes, as she bent over the books and packets she
would say little things, or quote stories of her father, which seemed to
show a pretty wish on her part to make the lady who was now to be her
companion understand something of the feelings and memories on which her
life was based. But there was dignity in it all, and, besides, a
fundamental awe and reserve. Mrs. Colwood seemed to see that there were
remembrances connected with her father far too poignant to be touched
in speech.

At tea-time Captain Roughsedge appeared. Mrs. Colwood's first
impression of his good manners and good looks was confirmed. But his
conversation could not be said to flow: and in endeavoring to entertain
him the two ladies fought a rather uphill fight. Then Diana discovered
that he belonged to the Sixtieth Rifles, whereupon the young lady
disclosed a knowledge of the British Army, and its organization, which
struck her visitor as nothing short of astounding. He listened to her
open-mouthed while she rattled on, mainly to fill up the gaps in his own
remarks; and when she paused, he bluntly complimented her on her
information. "Oh, that was papa!" said Diana, with a smile and a sigh.
"He taught me all he could about the Army, though he himself had only
been a Volunteer. There was an old _History of the British Army_ I was
brought up on. It was useful when we went to India--because I knew so
much about the regiments we came across."

This accomplishment of hers proved indeed a god-send; the young man
found his tongue; and the visit ended much better than it began.

As he said good-bye, he looked, round the drawing-room in wonder