He examined the reds and blues of the pattern, the white fingers, the bending cheek.

Suddenly, like Sir James Chide or Hugh Roughsedge, he was struck with a sense of change.
The Dian look which matched her name, the proud gayety and frankness of it, were somehow muffled and softened.

And altogether her aspect was a little frail and weary.

The perception brought with it an appeal to the protective strength of the man.

What were her cares?
Trifling, womanish things! He would make her confess them; and then conjure them away! "You have your cousin with you ?" "Yes." "She will make you a long visit ?" "Another week or two, I think." "You are a believer in family traditions ?--But of course you are!" "Why 'of course' ?" Her color had sparkled again, but the laugh was not spontaneous.
"I see that you are in love with even your furthest kinsmen--you must be--being an Imperialist! Now I am frankly bored by my kinsmen--near and far." "All the same--you ask their help!" "Oh yes, in war; pure self-interest on both sides." "You have been preaching this in the House of Commons ?" The teasing had answered.