"But her talk of sacrifice?" he cried.

Diana laughed, and again he was stung by her contempt of his
perceptions. "Her brother is set against her marrying him," said she.
"Here was her chance. Is it not very plain?"

Doubt stared from his eyes. "Why do you tell me this?"

"Because I esteem you, Sir Rowland," she answered very gently. "I would
not have you meddle in a matter you cannot mend."

"Which I am not desired to mend, say rather," he replied with heavy
sarcasm. "She would not have my interference!" He laughed angrily.
"I think you are right, Mistress Diana," he said, "and I think that
more than ever is there the need to kill this Mr. Wilding."

He took his departure abruptly, leaving her scared at the mischief
she had made for him in seeking to save him from it, and that very
night he sought out Wilding.

But Wilding was from home again. Under its placid surface the West
Country was in a ferment. And if hitherto Mr. Wilding had disdained
the insistent rumours of Monmouth's coming, his assurance was shaken
now by proof that the Government, itself, was stirring; for four
companies of foot and a troop of horse had been that day ordered
to Taunton by the Deputy-Lieutenant. Wilding was gone with Trenchard
to White Lackington in a vain hope that there he might find news to
confirm his persisting unbelief in any such rashness as was alleged
on Monmouth's part.