The minister walked up and down, thinking. He let go entirely the thought of arguing with Diana. She had the look at moments of a creature driven to bay; and when not so, the haggard, eager, appealing face filled his inmost heart with grief and pity. Nobody better than Basil could manage the unreasonable and bring the disorderly to obedience; he had a magical way with him; but now he only meditated how Diana's wish was to be met. It was not just easy, for he had few family connections in the world, and she had none. "I can think of nobody to whom I should like to send you," he said. "Unless"-- He waited, and Diana waited; then he finished his sentence. "I was going to say, unless a certain old grandaunt of mine. Perhaps she would do." "I do not care where or who it is," said Diana. "I care, though." "Where does she live?" "On Staten Island." "Staten Island?" repeated Diana. "Yes. It is near New York; about an hour from the city, down the bay." "The bay of New York?" "Yes." "May I go there?" said Diana. "That would do." "How soon do you wish to go?" "To-day, if I could!" she said with a half-caught breath. "Can I, Basil? To-day is best." Mr. Masters considered again. "Will you be ready to go by the seven o'clock train this evening?" "Yes. O yes!" "Very well. We will take that." "_We?_" Diana repeated. "Must I take you, Basil, away from your work? Cannot I go alone?" He looked up at her with a very sweet grave smile as he answered, "Not possibly." "I am a great deal of trouble"--she said with a woful expression. "Go and make your preparations," he said cheerfully; "and I will tell you about Aunt Sutphen when we are off." There was no bustle in the house that day, there was no undue stir of making arrangements; but at the time appointed Diana was ready. She had managed to keep Miss Collins in the dark down to the very last minute, and answered her questions then with, "I can't tell you. You must ask Mr. Masters." And Diana knew anybody might as well get the Great Pyramid to disclose its secrets. That night's train took them to Boston. The next morning they went on their way towards New York; and so far Mr. Masters had found no good time for his proposed explanations. Diana was busied with the baby, and contrived to keep herself away from him or from communication with him. He saw that she was engrossed, preoccupied, suffering, and that she shunned him; and he fell back and waited. In New York, he established Diana in a hotel and left her, to go himself alone to the Island and have an interview with his aunt.