he must needs admit, in aspect and in
height. Was it about to happen?--or had it already happened? He braced
himself, soldierlike, to the inevitable.

"You know Mr. Birch," said Diana to her companion, as they descended to
the lower terrace, and passed not very far from that gentleman.

"I just know him," said Marsham, carelessly, and bestowed a nod in the
direction of the solicitor.

"Had he not something to do with your election?" said Diana, astonished.

"My election?" cried Marsham. Then he laughed. "I suppose he has been
drawing the long bow, as usual. Am I impertinent?--or may I ask, how you
came to know him?"

He looked at her smiling. Diana colored.

"My cousin Fanny made acquaintance with him--in the train."

"I see. Here are our two cousins--coming to meet us. Will you introduce
me?"

For Fanny and Miss Drake were now returning slowly along the gravel path
which led to the kitchen garden. The eyes of both girls were fixed on
the pair advancing toward them. Alicia was no longer impassive or
haughty. Like her companion, she appeared to have been engaged in an
intimate and absorbing conversation. Diana could not help looking at her
in a vague surprise as she paused in front of them. But she addressed
herself to her cousin.

"Fanny, I want to introduce Mr. Marsham to you."

Fanny Merton held out her hand, staring a little oddly at the gentleman
presented to her. Alicia meanwhile was looking at Diana, while she
spoke--with emphasis--to Marsham.

"Could you order my horse, Oliver? I think we ought to be going back."

"Would you mind asking Sir James?" Marsham pointed to the upper terrace.
"I have something to see to in the garden."

Diana said hurriedly that Mrs. Colwood would send the order to the
stables, and that she herself would not be long. Alicia took no notice
of this remark. She still looked at Oliver.

"You'll come back with us, won't you?"

Marsham flushed. "I have only just arrived," he said, rather sharply.
"Please don't wait for me.--Shall we go on?" he said, turning to Diana.

They walked on. As Diana paused at the iron gate which closed the long
walk, she looked round her involuntarily, and saw that Alicia and Fanny
were now standing on the lower terrace, gazing after them. It struck her
as strange and rude, and she felt the slight shock she had felt several
times already, both in her intercourse with Fanny and in her
acquaintance with Miss Drake--as of one unceremoniously jostled