Marsham's first feeling, as he advanced into the room, and, looking round him, saw that Diana was alone, was one of acute physical pleasure. The old room with its mingling of color, at once dim and rich; the sunlit garden through the casement windows; the scent of the logs burning on the hearth, and of the hyacinths and narcissus with which the warm air was perfumed; the signs everywhere of a woman's life and charm; all these first impressions leaped upon him, aiding the remembered spell which had recalled him--hot-foot and eager--from London, to this place, on the very first opportunity. And if her surroundings were poetic, how much more so was the girl-figure itself!--the slender form, the dark head, and that shrinking joy which spoke in her gesture, in the movement she made toward him across the room. She checked it at once, but not before a certain wildness in it had let loose upon him a rush of delight. "Sir James explained?" he said, as he took her hand. "Yes. I had no notion you would be here--this week-end." "Nor had I--till last night. Then an appointment broken down--and--_me voici_!" "You stay over to-morrow?" "Of course! But it is absurd that the Feltons should be five miles away!" She stammered: "It is a charming ride." "But too long!--One does not want to lose time." She was now sitting; and he beside her. Mechanically she had taken up some embroidery--to shield her eyes. He examined the reds and blues of the pattern, the white fingers, the bending cheek. Suddenly, like Sir James Chide or Hugh Roughsedge, he was struck with a sense of change. The Dian look which matched her name, the proud gayety and frankness of it, were somehow muffled and softened. And altogether her aspect was a little frail and weary. The perception brought with it an appeal to the protective strength of the man. What were her cares? Trifling, womanish things! He would make her confess them; and then conjure them away! "You have your cousin with you?" "Yes." "She will make you a long visit?" "Another week or two, I think." "You are a believer in family traditions?--But of course you are!" "Why 'of course'?" Her color had sparkled again, but the laugh was not spontaneous. "I see that you are in love with even your furthest kinsmen--you must be--being an Imperialist! Now I am frankly bored by my kinsmen--near and far." "All the same--you ask their help!" "Oh yes, in war; pure self-interest on both sides." "You have been preaching this in the House of Commons?" The teasing had answered. No more veiling of the eyes! "No--I have made no speeches. Next week, in the Vote of Censure debate, I shall get my chance." "To talk Little Englandism? Alack!" The tone was soft--it ended in a sigh. "Does it really trouble you?" She was looking down at her work. Her fingers drew the silk out and in--a little at random. She shook her head slightly, without reply.