Diana had asked the Roughsedges, explaining the matter, with a half-deprecating, half-humorous face, to the comfortable ear of Mrs.Roughsedge.Explanation was necessary, for this particular young man was only welcome in those houses of the neighborhood which were not socially dainty.

Mrs.Roughsedge understood at once--laughed heartily--accepted with equal heartiness--and then, taking Diana's hand, she said, with a shining of her gray eye: "My dear, if you want Henry and me to stand on our heads we will attempt it with pleasure.

You are an angel!--and angels are not to be worried by solicitors." The first part of which remark referred to a certain morning after Hugh's announcement of his appointment to the Nigerian expedition, when Diana had shown the old people a sweet and daughter-like sympathy, which had entirely won whatever portion of their hearts remained still to be captured.
Hugh, meanwhile, was not yet gone, though he was within a fortnight of departure.

He was coming to luncheon, with his parents, in order to support Diana.

The family had seen Miss Merton some two or three times, and were all strongly of opinion that Diana very much wanted supporting.
"Why should one be civil to one's cousin ?" Dr.Roughsedge inquired of his wife.