“Run, Sophy, run! there is some one at the door. Filomena has no sense--she will show them in at once.” “What does it matter?” said Sophy. “It can only be Mrs. Hunstanton--I don’t mind at all what she says. I should like her to know. She ought to be cured of her interfering. It will let her see who Diana cares the most for. It will show her----” “Mr. Hunstanton!” cried Mrs. Norton, with almost a shriek. A _gentleman_! and actually the bed visible, and all the things hanging up. She made a dart at the door and shut it, then turned round breathless but bland. “This is a pleasure!” she said; “but you find us in great disorder. I am so sorry. We were just arranging a little against our journey.” “What journey?” said Mr. Hunstanton. “Don’t apologise. I like to have a finger in the pie. You shall have my advice with the greatest pleasure. But what journey? Were you thinking really of returning with us? That would be good news: though I think I have perhaps something to say that may make a difference. Don’t take away the dress: I am a great authority about dress--though my wife snubs me. Don’t take it away.” “We are going with Diana,” said Mrs. Norton. “If we had been going home there is nothing I should have liked so much as going with your party. You were all so kind to us coming. But our first duty is to Diana. She has never been abroad before--she thinks she would like to return by Switzerland, and see as much as possible; and, of course, I could not let her go alone. And Sophy will enjoy it--though, indeed,” said the little woman, with a sigh, “it will not be unalloyed pleasure to me. My circumstances were very different when I was there before. Still I must not be selfish; and, of course, I could not let Diana go alone. After all her kindness to Sophy, that would be too ungrateful--it is what I could not do----” “Whew!” said Mr. Hunstanton under his breath: and then corrected himself, and composed his countenance. “So you are going to Switzerland with Diana. Ah-h!--with Diana! That is a new idea. Bless me! I wonder what Diana will say to me if I spoil her trip for her? Mrs. Norton, I have come to say something very important to you. It is not on my own account exactly. I am come as an ambassador; as--plenipotentiary. I have got something to say to you. Well, of course I don’t know what you will answer; but it is not disagreeable. It is the sort of thing I have always heard that ladies like to hear----”