He did so, and he spared not Wilding. The task, indeed, was one to
which he applied himself with a certain zest; whatever might be the
outcome of the affair, there was no denying that he was by way of
reaping profit from it by the final overthrow of an acknowledged rival.
And when he told her how Richard had flung his wine in Wilding's face
when Wilding stood to toast her, a faint flush crept to her cheeks.

"Richard did well," said she. "I am proud of him."

The words pleased Sir Rowland vastly; but he reckoned without Diana.
Miss Horton's mind was illumined by her knowledge of herself. In the
light of that she saw precisely what capital this tale-bearer sought
to make. The occasion might not be without its opportunities for her;
and to begin with, it was no part of her intention that Wilding should
be thus maligned and finally driven from the lists of rivalry with
Blake. Upon Wilding, indeed, and his notorious masterfulness did she
found what hopes she still entertained of winning back Sir Rowland.

"Surely," said she, "you are a little hard on Mr. Wilding. You speak
as if he were the first gallant that ever toasted lady's eyes."

"I am no lady of his, Diana," Ruth reminded her, with a faint show of heat.

Diana shrugged her shoulders. "You may not love him, but you can't
ordain that he shall not love you. You are very harsh, I think. To me
it rather seems that Richard acted like a boor."

"But, mistress," cried Sir Rowland, half out of countenance, and
stifling his vexation, "in these matters it all depends upon the manner."