Mrs.Colwood, sitting on the other side of the hall, timidly discussing fancy work with the Miss Varleys, Lady Lucy's young nieces, saw that Diana was making a conquest; and it seemed to her, moreover, that Mr.Ferrier's scrutiny of his companion was somewhat more attentive and more close than was quite explained by the mere casual encounter of a man of middle-age with a young and charming girl.
Was he--like herself--aware that matters of moment might be here at their beginning?
Meanwhile, if Mr.Ferrier was making discoveries, so was Diana.

A man, it appeared, could be not only one of the busiest and most powerful politicians in England, but also a philosopher, and a reader, one whose secret tastes were as unworldly and romantic as her own.

Books, music, art--he could handle these subjects no less skilfully than others political or personal.

And, throughout, his deference to a young and pretty woman was never at fault.

Diana was encouraged to talk, and then, without a word of flattery, given to understand that her talk pleased.
Under this stimulus, her soft dark beauty was soon glowing at its best; innocence, intelligence, and youth, spread as it were their tendrils to the sun.
Meanwhile, Sir James Chide, a few yards off, was apparently absorbed partly in the _Times_, partly in the endeavor to make Lady Lucy's fox terrier go through its tricks.
Once Mr.Ferrier drew Diana's attention to her neighbor.
"You know him ?" "I never saw him before." "You know who he is ?" "Ought I ?--I am so sorry!" "He is perhaps the greatest criminal advocate we have.