and the like.  But not vulgar half-baked fellows, who meant nothing politically, and must yet be treated like gentlemen.  Ah!  There were the Roughsedges—­the Captain not gone yet?—­Sir James and Mrs. Colwood—­nice little creature, that companion—­they would find some use for her in the future.  And on the lower terrace, Alicia Drake, and—­that girl?  He laughed, amusing himself with the thought of Alicia’s plight.  Alicia, the arrogant, the fastidious!  The odd thing was that she seemed to be absorbed in the conversation that was going on.  He saw her pause at the end of the terrace, look round her, and deliberately lead the way down a long grass path, away from the rest of the party.  Was the cousin good company, after all?

Diana returned.  A broad black hat, and sables which had been her father’s last gift to her, provided the slight change in surroundings which pleases the eye and sense of a lover.  And as a man brought up in wealth, and himself potentially rich, he found it secretly agreeable that costly things became her.  There should be no lack of them in the future.

They stepped out upon the terrace.  At sight of them the Roughsedges approached, while Mr. Fred Birch lagged behind to inspect the sundial.  After a few words’ conversation, Marsham turned resolutely away.

“Miss Mallory wants to show me a new gardener.”

The old doctor smiled at his wife.  Hugh Roughsedge watched the departing figures.  Excellently matched, he must needs admit, in aspect and in height.  Was it about to happen?—­or had it already happened?  He braced himself, soldierlike, to the inevitable.

“You know Mr. Birch,” said Diana to her companion, as they descended to the lower terrace, and passed not very far from that gentleman.

“I just know him,” said Marsham, carelessly, and bestowed a nod in the direction of the solicitor.

“Had he not something to do with your election?” said Diana, astonished.

“My election?” cried Marsham.  Then he laughed.  “I suppose he has been drawing the long bow, as usual.  Am I impertinent?—­or may I ask, how you came to know him?”

He looked at her smiling.  Diana colored.

“My cousin Fanny made acquaintance with him—­in the train.”

“I see.  Here are our two cousins—­coming to meet us.  Will you introduce me?”

For Fanny and Miss Drake were now returning slowly along the gravel path which led to the kitchen garden.  The eyes of both girls were fixed on the pair advancing toward them.  Alicia was no longer impassive or haughty.  Like her companion, she appeared to have been engaged in an intimate and absorbing conversation.  Diana could not help looking at her in a vague surprise as she paused in front of them.  But she addressed herself to her cousin.

“Fanny, I want to introduce Mr. Marsham to you.”

Fanny Merton held out her hand, staring a little oddly at the gentleman presented to her.  Alicia meanwhile was looking at Diana, while she spoke—­with emphasis—­to Marsham.