matter too deeply to heart. You overlook the possibility that my cousin
may have good reason for not desiring your interference."

He looked keenly at this little lady to whom a month ago he had been
on the point of offering marriage. His coxcombry might readily have
suggested to him that she was in love with him, but that his conscience
and inclinations urged him to assure himself that this was not the case.

"What shall that mean, madam?" he asked her.

Diana hesitated. "What I have said is plain," she answered, and it was
clear that she held something back.

Sir Rowland flattered himself upon the shrewdnesswith which he read her,
never dreaming that he had but read just what she intended he should.

He stood squarely before her, shaking his greathead. "Not plain enough
for me," he said. Then his tone softened to one of prayer. "Tell me,"
he besought her.

"I can't! I can't!" she cried in feigned distress."It were too disloyal."

He frowned. He caught her arm and pressed it, his heart sick with
jealous alarm. "What do you mean? Tell me, tell me, Mistress Horton."

Diana lowered her eyes. "You'll not betray me?" she stipulated.

"Why, no. Tell me."

She flushed delicately. "I am disloyal to Ruth," she said, "and yet I