Diana remained in London.

Lady Dunstane wrote entreating her to pass the month--her favourite time of the violet yielding to the cowslip--at Copsley.

The invitation could not be accepted, but the next day Diana sent word that she had a surprise for the following Sunday, and would bring a friend to lunch, if Sir Lukin would meet them at the corner of the road in the valley leading up to the heights, at a stated hour.
Lady Dunstane gave the listless baronet his directions, observing: 'It's odd, she never will come alone since her marriage.' 'Queer,' said he of the serenest absence of conscience; and that there must be something not entirely right going on, he strongly inclined to think..