She found the minister there, as Miss Collins had opined she would; but she paid little attention to him. He was just drawing the curtains over a window where the sunlight came in too glaringly. As he had done this, and turned, he was a spectator of the meeting between mother and child. It was peculiar. Mrs. Starling advanced to the foot of the bed, came no nearer, but stood there looking down at her daughter. And Diana's eyes fastened on hers with a look of calm, cold intelligence. It was intense enough, yet there was no passion in it; I suppose there was too much despair; however, it was, as I said, keen and intent, and it held Mrs. Starling's eye, like a vice. Those Mr. Masters could not see; the lady's back was towards him; but he saw how Diana's eyes pinioned her, and how strangely still Mrs. Starling stood. "What's the matter with you?" she said harshly at last. "You ought to know,"--said Diana, not moving her eyes. "I ain't a conjuror," Mrs. Starling returned with a sort of snort. "What makes you look at me like that?" Diana gave a short, sharp laugh. "How can you look at me?" she said. "I know all about it, mother." Mrs. Starling with a sudden determination went round to the head of the bed and put out her hand to feel Diana's pulse. Diana shrank away from her. "Keep off!" she cried. "Basil, Basil, don't let her touch me." "She is out of her head," said Mrs. Starling, turning to her son-in-law, and speaking half loud. "I had better stay and sit up with her." "No," cried Diana. "I don't want you. Basil, don't let her stay. Basil, Basil!"-- The cry was urgent and pitiful. Her husband came near, arranged the pillows, for she had started half up; and putting her gently back upon them, said in his calm tones,--"Be quiet, Di; you command here. Mrs. Starling, shall we go down-stairs?" Mrs. Starling this time complied without making any objection; but as she reached the bottom she gave vent to her opinion. "You are spoiling her!" "Really--I should like to have the chance." "What do you mean by that?" "Just the words. I should like to spoil Di. She has never had much of that sort of bad influence." "That sounds very weak, to me," said Mrs. Starling. "To whom should a man show himself weak, if not toward his wife?" said Basil carelessly. "Your wife will not thank you for it." "I will endeavour to retain her respect," said Basil in the same way; which aggravated Mrs. Starling, beyond bounds. Something about him always did try her temper, she said to herself. "Diana is going to have a fever," she spoke abruptly. "I am afraid of it." "What's brought it on?" "I came home two evenings ago and found her on the bed." "You don't want me, you say. Who do you expect is going to sit up with her and take care of her?" "I will try what I can do, for the present." "You can't manage that and your out-door work too." "I will manage _that_"--said Basil significantly.