The room joined in laughter and applause.
* * * * * A few minutes later the ladies streamed out into the hall on their way to bed.

Marsham came to light a candle for Diana.
"Do you forgive me ?" he said, as he gave it to her.
The tone was gay and apologetic.
She laughed unsteadily, without reply.
"When will you take your revenge ?" She shook her head, touched his hand for "good-night," and went up-stairs.
As Diana reached her room she drew Mrs.Colwood in with her--but not, it seemed, for purposes of conversation.

She stood absently by the fire taking off her bracelets and necklace.

Mrs.Colwood made a few remarks about the evening and the guests, with little response, and presently wondered why she was detained.

At last Diana put up her hands, and smoothed back the hair from her temples with a long sigh.