Well, if Oliver wants her, let him fight for her.

I hope she won't drop into his mouth! Mallory! Mallory! I wonder where she comes from, and who her people are." * * * * * Meanwhile Diana was sitting among her letters, which mainly concerned the last details of the Beechcote furnishing.

She and Mrs.Colwood were now "Muriel" and "Diana" to each other, and Mrs.Colwood had been admitted to a practical share in Diana's small anxieties.
Suddenly Diana, who had just opened a hitherto unread letter, exclaimed: "Oh, but _how_ delightful!" Mrs.Colwood looked up; Diana's aspect was one of sparkling pleasure and surprise.
"One of my Barbadoes' cousins is here--in London--actually in London--and I knew nothing of her coming.

She writes to me .-- Of course she must come to Beechcote--she must come at once!" She sprang up, and went to a writing-table near, to look for a telegraph form.

She wrote a message with eagerness, despatched it, and then explained as coherently as her evident emotion and excitement would allow.
"They are my only relations in the world--that I know of--that papa ever spoke to me about.