, susceptible to every
breath of kindness, formed the prompt opinion that he was both handsome
and agreeable.

Oliver Marsham, indeed, was not a person to be overlooked. His height
was about six foot three; and his long slender limbs and spare frame had
earned him, as a lad, among the men of his father's works, the
description of "two yards o' pump-waater, straight oop an' down." But in
his thin lengthiness there was nothing awkward--rather a graceful
readiness and vigor. And the head which surmounted this lightly built
body gave to the whole personality the force and weight it might
otherwise have missed. The hair was very thick and very fair, though
already slightly grizzled. It lay in heavy curly masses across a broad
head, defining a strong brow above deeply set small eyes of a pale
conspicuous blue. The nose, aquiline and large; the mouth large also,
but thin-lipped and flexible; slight hollows in the cheeks, and a long,
lantern jaw. The whole figure made an impression of ease, power, and
self-confidence.

"So you like your old house?" he said, presently, to Diana, sitting down
beside her, and dropping his voice a little.

"It suits me perfectly."

"I am certain the moat is rheumatic! But you will never admit it."

"I would, if it were true," she said, smiling.

"No!--you are much too romantic. You see, I remember our conversations."

"Did I never admit the truth?"

"You would never admit it _was_ the truth. And my difficulty was to find
an arbiter between us."

Diana's face changed a little. He perceived it instantly.

"Your father was sometimes arbiter," he said, in a still lower
tone--"but naturally he took your side. I shall always rejoice I had
that chance of meeting him."

Diana said nothing, but her dark eyes turned on him with a soft friendly
look. His own smiled in response, and he resumed:

"I suppose you don't know many of these people here?"

"Not any."

"I'm sure you'll like Mr. Ferrier. He is our very old friend--almost my
guardian. Of course--on politics--you won't agree!"

"I didn't expect to agree with anybody here," said Diana, slyly.

He laughed.

"I might offer you Lady Niton--but I refrain. To-morrow I have reason to
believe that two Tories are coming to dinner."

"Which am I to admire?--your liberality, or their courage?"

"I have matched them by two socialists. Which will you sit next?"

"Oh, I am proof!" said Diana. "'Come one, come all.'"

He looked at her smiling