As Diana sat, dismally pondering, an idea flashed upon her.  Sir James Chide was to dine at Beechcote that night.  He was expected early, would take in Beechcote, indeed, on his way from the train to Lytchett.  Who else should advise her if not he?  In a hundred ways, practical and tender, he had made her understand that, for her mother’s sake and her own, she was to him as a daughter.

She mentioned him to Fanny.

“Of course”—­she hurried over the words—­“we need only say that you have been engaged.  We must consult him, I suppose, about—­about breach of promise of marriage.”

The odious, hearsay phrase came out with difficulty.  But Fanny’s eyes glistened at the name of the great lawyer.

Her feelings toward the man who had betrayed her were clearly a medley of passion and of hatred.  She loved him as she was able to love; and she wished, at the same time, to coerce and be revenged on him.  The momentary sense of shame had altogether passed.  It was Diana who, with burning cheeks, stipulated that while Fanny must not return to town, but must stay at Beechcote till matters were arranged, she should not appear during Sir James’s visit; and it was Fanny who said, with vindictive triumph, as Diana left her in her room; “Sir James’ll know well enough what sort of damages I could get!”

* * * * *

After dinner Diana and Sir James walked up and down the lime-walk in the August moonlight.  His affection, as soon as he saw her, had been conscious of yet another strain upon her, but till she began to talk to him tete-a-tete he got no clew to it; and even then what he guessed had very little to do with what she said.  She told her cousin’s story so far as she meant to tell it with complete self-possession.  Her cousin was in love with this wretched man, and had got herself terribly talked about.  She could not be persuaded to give him up, while he could only be induced to marry her by the prospect of money.  Could Sir James see him and find out how much would content him, and whether any decent employment could be found for him?

Sir James held his peace, except for the “Yeses” and “Noes” that Diana’s conversation demanded.  He would certainly interview the young man; he was very sorry for her anxieties; he would see what could be done.

Meanwhile, he never communicated to her that he had travelled down to Beechcote in the same carriage with Lady Felton, the county gossip, and that in addition to other matters—­of which more anon—­the refreshment-room story had been discussed between them, with additions and ramifications leading to very definite conclusions in any rational mind as to the nature of the bond between Diana’s cousin and the young Dunscombe solicitor.  Lady Felton had expressed her concern for Miss Mallory.  “Poor thing!—­do you think she knows?  Why on earth did she ever ask him to Beechcote!  Alicia Drake told me she saw him there.”