Orion bent his ear with deep interest.

“You don’t mean it?” he said, when Diana had said some very energetic words in a low voice.

“Yes, I does.  Does I say things I doesn’t mean?  I means it twuly, twuly.  You wide G’eased Lightning, and then—­then it’ll all be over.”

“Oh, I really think I can, if you are quite sure,” said Orion.  His little face brightened up, two fever spots came into his cheeks; his eyes shone.

“Are you quite sure, Di?” he said.

“Pos’tive certain.  Now, lie down if you like, and go to s’eep.”

“I could eat a bit more supper,” said Orion.  “I’m kind of hungry now that you has told me you is positive, Di.”

“All wight,” answered Diana.  “There’s a teeny dwop of milk left.  Course I was hungry and thirsty, and my trof was dry, but you shall drink up the last dwop of milk.  Here now, isn’t you better?”

“I am really, truly,” said Orion; “but are you quite certain it’s true, Di?”

“K’ite.  Do you think I would tell a lie?  I is the gweat Diana.  You is sort of forgetting, Orion.”

“No, I aren’t,” said Orion.  “Oh, I am happy now!”

“Well, lie down.  I’ll make up your bed, and you shall go to s’eep.  We has a lot to do to-morrow, hasn’t we?”

“Yes, a lot,” answered Orion, with a little laugh.  “Oh, Di! will they let us?”

“Course they’ll let us,” said Diana.  “I has it all settled beautiful.  Now, go to s’eep, p’ease, Orion.”

Orion did very soon enter the land of dreams, but little Diana lay broad awake.  She was thinking hard, and her thoughts were wonderfully sensible for such a baby.

The performance at the circus had turned out a great success.  Diana had already appeared once or twice on Greased Lightning’s back, but Ben Holt now kept her out of sight on purpose.  He had caused rumors to be spread about her wonderful riding; his aim was to make people very anxious to see her again.  He wanted the public to have a sort of craving for her.  He hoped that when she finally appeared, dressed as the great Diana, with the bow and arrows, and when little Orion accompanied her with his girdle round his waist, and a sword in his hand, and when the two children rode round and round the circus on the fleetest horses in the company, that they would in very truth bring down the house—­in short, that crowds would come to see them.

Uncle Ben was full of hope with regard to Diana, but he was by no means so sure as far as Orion was concerned.  If Orion would not play his part well, and look what he was—­one of the prettiest boys in England, and one of the very youngest who had ever appeared in a circus—­why, half the effect would be lost.  He began to perceive, however, that cruelty had little or no effect on the child, and he was inclined to allow that little genius, Diana, to manage him in her own way.

That night when the entertainment had come to an end, and Uncle Ben was seated at his cozy supper, he was much surprised when the door of the room was pushed suddenly open and a small girl, clad in a little white nightdress, made her appearance.