Then the door of the inner hall opened, and he caught Diana's hurrying feet, and her cry-- "Fanny!" He passed the lady and escaped.

As he rode away into the darkness of the lanes he was conscious of an impression which had for the moment checked the happy flutter of blood and pulse.

Was _that_ the long-expected cousin?
Poor Diana! A common-looking, vulgar young woman--with a most unpleasant voice and accent.

An unpleasant manner, too, to the servants--half arrogant, half familiar.

What a hat!--and what a fringe!--worthy of some young "lidy" in the Old Kent Road! The thought of Diana sitting at table with such a person on equal terms pricked him with annoyance; for he had all his mother's fastidiousness, though it showed itself in different forms.