And Dimitrius thereupon went into the drawing-room, there to find Diana seated on a low stool beside his mother’s chair, talking animatedly about their intended visit to Davos Platz. Madame Dimitrius instantly assailed him with the question she had previously started at dinner. “Féodor, you put me off just now,” she said, “but you really must tell me if you see any change in Diana! Look at her!”--and she put one hand under Diana’s chin and turned her face more up to the light--“Isn’t there a very remarkable alteration in her?” Dimitrius smiled. “Well, no!--not a very remarkable one,” he answered, with affected indifference. “A slight one,--certainly for the better. All doctors agree in the opinion that it is only after a month or two in a different climate that one begins to notice an improvement in health and looks----” “Nonsense!” interrupted his mother, with a slight touch of impatience. “It’s not that sort of thing at all! It’s something quite different!” “Well, what _is_ it?” laughed Diana. “Dear, kind Madame Dimitrius!--you always see something nice in me!--which is very flattering but which I don’t deserve! You are getting used to my appearance--that’s all!” “You are both in league against me!” declared the old lady, shaking her head. “Féodor knows and _you_ know that you _are_ quite different!--I mean that you have a different expression--I don’t know what it is----” “I’m sure _I_ don’t!” Diana said, still laughing. “I feel very well and very happy--much better than I have felt for a long time--and of course if one _feels_ well one looks well----” “Did you feel as well and happy a few hours ago, when you left me to go and do some work for Féodor?” asked Madame. “You did not look then as you look now!” Diana glanced at Dimitrius questioningly, mutely asking what she should say next. He gave her a reassuring smile. “You are like a Grand Inquisitor, mother mine!” he said. “And sharp as a needle in your scrutiny! Perhaps you are right!--Miss May _is_ a little altered. In fact I think I may acknowledge and admit the fact--but I’m sure it is so slight a change that she has scarcely noticed it herself. And when she has retired and gone to bed, you and I will have a little private talk about it. Will that satisfy you?” She looked at him trustfully and with a great tenderness. “I am not unsatisfied even now, my son!” she answered, gently--“I am only curious! I am like the lady in the fairy tale of ‘Blue Beard’--I want to unlock your cupboard of mystery! And you won’t cut my head off for that, will you?” He laughed. “I would sooner cut off my own!” he said, gaily. “Be sure of that! You shall know all that is needful, in good time! Meanwhile, Miss Diana had better leave us for the present”--Diana at once rose and came towards him to say good-night--“I hope I am not giving you too abrupt a dismissal,” he added, “but I think, under the circumstances, you should get all the rest you can.”