"And heaven alone knows what else he may have done! Why, child, he said himself that he had a-a spotty past!"
At this her niece gave a tearful giggle.
"La! What ails you now, Di?"
"H-he never said-spotty."
Miss Betty smiled reluctantly.
"A doubtful past, then."
"I don't believe it!"
Her aunt pursed up her lips.
"I won't believe it. He couldn't be wicked. You forget he saved me!"
Miss Betty relented.
"No, I do not, my love; and, to be sure, I think he is a dear boy, but I also think 'twas very right of him to go away."
She was enveloped in a rapturous embrace.
"Auntie, you know you love him almost as much as I do?"
"No, that I do not!" was the grim retort. "I am not like to want to marry him!"
There was another watery giggle at this, and Diana went over to the dressing-table to tidy her hair.
"I doubt I shall never see him again," she said wretchedly. "Oh, auntie, if you could but have seen his dear, unhappy eyes!"
"Stuff and nonsense! Not see him again, forsooth! He will call upon us in town. 'Tis but common politeness."
"You forget he is a highwayman, and not like to come nigh us again."
"Well, my dear, if he cares for you as you say he does, he will see to it that he takes up some decent occupation. Mayhap, he will go into the army, or what not. Then wait and see if he does not come to you."
"Do you think so?" doubtfully.
"Of course I do, sweetheart! And if he does not try to mend his ways, and you see him no more-why then, snap your fingers at him, my love, for he will not be worth one tear!"
Diana sighed and poured out some water to bathe her face with.
"Is not that sensible?" coaxed her aunt.
She raised her head and looked unutterable scorn.
"I think 'tis remarkable silly," she answered. Then her dignity fell from her. "Oh, are all men such big stupids?" she cried.
"Most of 'em," nodded her aunt.
"But can't he tell that I shall be-oh, so miserable, and that I should not ruin my life if I married him?"
"My dear, once a man gets an idea into his head, 'tis the very devil to get it out of him! Not but what I think Master Jack is right, mind you. And your dear papa and I had looked higher for you. After all-what is Mr. Carr?"
"He is the only man I will ever marry! So you may cease looking higher for me! I suppose you want me to marry that great gaby, Sir Denis Fabian, you are for ever inviting to the house? Or, perhaps, this gallant Mr. Bettison? Or Mr. Everard? How can you be so unkind?"