But Mrs.Roughsedge also inferred from a shrewd observation of her hostess that he was not unwelcome.

He had, in fact, looked in on his way home from hunting to give a message from his mother; that, at least, was the pretext.

Hugh Roughsedge, reading him with a hostile eye, said to himself that if it hadn't been Lady Lucy it would have been something else.

As it happened, he was quite as well aware as his mother that Marsham's visits to Beechcote of late had been far more frequent than mere neighborliness required.
Marsham was in hunting dress, and made his usual handsome and energetic impression.

Diana treated him with great self-possession, asking after Mr.Ferrier, who had just returned to Tallyn for the last fortnight before the opening of Parliament, and betraying to the Roughsedges that she was already on intimate terms with Lady Lucy, who was lending her patterns for her embroidery, driving over once or twice a week, and advising her about various household affairs.