"It meant no more," he said, quietly, "than we intended it should mean. It meant nothing which could cause you distress or trouble. All was quite clear between us, beforehand; was it not? That service meant for you--your home, your fortune, your position in the county, your influence for good; deliverance from undesired suitors; and--I hope--a friend you can trust--though far away--until death takes him--farther." He kept his hand lightly on hers, and Diana's mind grew restful. She laid her other hand over his. She was so afraid he would take it away. "Oh, go on David," she said. "I feel better." "You must not let it haunt you when I am gone," continued David. "You urged me to do this thing, for a given reason; and, when once I felt convinced we were not wrong in doing it, I went through with it, as I had promised you I would. There was nothing in that to frighten or to distress you. We could not help it that the service was so wonderful. That was partly your fault," added David, with a gentle smile, "for providing organ music, and for choosing to impersonate my Lady of Mystery." Diana considered this. Then: "Oh, I am so comforted, Cousin David," she said. "I was so horribly afraid it had--somehow--meant more than I wanted it to mean." "How could it have meant more than you wanted it to mean?" "I don't know. I begin to think Uncle Falcon was right, when he called me ignorant and inexperienced." David laughed. "Oh, you mustn't begin to give in to Uncle Falcon," he said. "And to-day, of all days, when our campaign has succeeded, and we have defeated him. You can go into the library this evening, look Uncle Falcon full in the eyes, and say: 'Uncle Falcon, _I_ have won!'" "Can I?" said Diana, doubtfully. "I am a little bit afraid of Uncle Falcon. I could, if you were there, Cousin David." David tried to withdraw his hand; but the hand lying lightly upon it immediately tightened. "Are you _sure_ I shan't be haunted after you are gone?" asked Diana, with eyes that searched his face. "Not by me," smiled David. "Of course not. But by the service?" "Are any special words troubling you?" he asked, gently. "Goodness, no!" cried Diana. "I realised nothing clearly excepting 'I will,' when you said it. I haven't a ghost of a notion what I promised." "Then if you haven't a ghost--" began David. "Oh, don't joke about it," implored Diana. "I am really in earnest. I was horribly afraid; and I did not know of what. I began to think I should be obliged to ask you to put off, and to go by a later boat." "Why?" "So as to have you here, to tell me it had not meant more than we intended it should mean." Diana took off her large hat, and threw it on to the seat opposite. Then she rested her head against the cushion, close to David's. "Oh, this is so restful," she sighed; "and I am so comforted and happy! Do let's stop arguing." "We are not arguing," said David. "Oh, then let's stop _not_ arguing!"