"No. I know nothing, Miss Diana. I guess." She sat with her face turned from him for a while; then, perhaps reminded by the blast of wind and snow which at the moment came round the house furiously and beat on the windows, she went on hastily: "You wonder to see me here; but I ran away from home; and I can't bear to go back." "Why?" "Mr. Masters, mother wants me to"--Diana hesitated--"marry a rich man." The minister was silent. "He is there all the while--I mean, very often; he has not spoken out yet, but mother has; and she favours him all she can." "You do not?" "I wish I could never see him again!" sighed Diana. "You can send him away, I should think." "I can't, till he asks my leave to stay. And I am so tired. He came to take me to church this morning; and I ran away before it was time to go." "You cannot be disposed of against your will, Miss Diana." "I seem to have so little will now. Sometimes I am almost ready to be afraid mother and he together will tire me out. Nothing seems to matter any more." "That would be a great mistake." "Yes!"--said Diana, getting up from her chair and looking out towards the storm with a despairing face;--"people make mistakes sometimes. Mr. Masters, you must think me very strange--but I trust you--and I wanted help so much"-- "And I have not given you any." "You would if you could." "And I will if I can. I have thought of more than I have spoken. When can I see you again, to consult further? It must be alone." "I don't know. This is my chance. Tell me now. What have you thought of?" "I never speak about business on Sunday," said the minister, meeting Diana's frank eyes with a slight smile which was very far from merriment. "Is this business?" "Partly of that character." "I don't know, then," said Diana. "We must take our chance. Thank you, Mr. Masters." "May I ask what for?" "For your kindness." "I should like to be kind to you," said he. "Now the present practical question, which cannot be put off, Miss Diana, is--how are you going to get home?" "And you?" "That is a secondary matter and easily disposed of. I live comparatively near by. It is out of the question that you should drive three miles in this storm."