But on the grass under the spreading oaks which sheltered the eastern front a few snow-drops were out.

And Diana was gathering them.
She came toward her visitors with alacrity.

"Oh! what a long time since you have been to see me!" Mrs.Roughsedge explained that she had been entertaining some relations, and Hugh had been in London.

She hoped that Miss Mallory had enjoyed her stay at Tallyn.

It certainly seemed to both mother and son that the ingenuous young face colored a little as its owner replied--"Thank you--it was very amusing"-- and then added, with a little hesitation--"Mr.Marsham has been kindly advising me since, about the gardens--and the Vavasours.