sive,
steeped, moreover, for all its spiritual and intellectual force, which
was considerable, in a kind of sensuous romance--much connected with
concrete things and symbols, places, persons, emblems, or relics, any
contact with which might at any time bring the color to the girl's
cheeks and the tears to her eyes. _Honor_--personal or national--the
word was to Diana like a spark to dry leaves. Her whole nature flamed to
it, and there were moments when she walked visibly transfigured in the
glow of it. Her mind was rich, moreover, in the delicate, inchoate
lovers, the half-poetic, half-intellectual passions, the mystical
yearnings and aspirations, which haunt a pure expanding youth. Such
human beings, Mrs. Colwood reflected, are not generally made for
happiness. But there were also in Diana signs both of practical ability
and of a rare common-sense. Would this last avail to protect her from
her enthusiasms? Mrs. Colwood remembered a famous Frenchwoman of whom it
was said: "Her _judgment_ is infallible--her _conduct_ one long
mistake!" The little companion was already sufficiently attached to Miss
Mallory to hope that in this case a natural tact and balance might not
be thrown away.

As to suitors and falling in love, the natural accompaniments of such a
charming youth, Mrs. Colwood came across no traces of anything of the
sort. During her journey with her father to India, Japan, and America,
Miss Mallory had indeed for the first time seen something of society.
But in the villa beside the Mediterranean it was evident that her life
with her father had been one of complete seclusion. She and he had lived
for each other. Books, sketching, long walks, a friendly interest in
their peasant neighbors--these had filled their time.

It took, indeed, but a short time to discover in Miss Mallory a hunger
for society which seemed to be the natural result of long starvation.
With her neighbors the Roughsedges she was already on the friendliest
terms. To Dr. Roughsedge, who was infirm, and often a prisoner to his
library, she paid many small attentions which soon won the heart of an
old student. She was in love with Mrs. Roughsedge's gray curls and
motherly ways; and would consult her about servants and tradesmen with
an eager humility. She liked the son, it seemed, for the parents' sake,
nor was it long before he was allowed--at his own pressing request--to
help in hanging pictures and arranging books at Beechcote. A girl's
manner