Diana, as he had first met her among the woods at Portofino, side by side with her dignified and gentlemanly father, had made upon him precisely that impression of personal distinction of which he was in search--upon his mother also.
The appearance and the accent, however, of the cousin had struck him with surprise; nor was it till he was nearing Tallyn that he succeeded in shaking off the impression.

Absurd! Everybody has some relations that require to be masked--like the stables, or the back door--in a skilful arrangement of life.

Diana, his beautiful, unapproachable Diana, would soon, no doubt, be relieved of this young lady, with whom she could have no possible interests in common.

And, perhaps, on one of his week-end visits to Tallyn and Beechcote, he might get a few minutes' conversation with Mrs.Colwood which would throw some light on the new guest.
* * * * * Diana meanwhile, assisted by Mrs.Colwood, was hovering about her cousin.

She and Miss Merton had kissed each other in the hall, and then Diana, seized with a sudden shyness, led her guest into the drawing-room and stood there speechless, a little; holding her by both hands and gazing at her; mastered by feeling and excitement.
"Well, you _have_ got a queer old place!" said Fanny Merton, withdrawing herself.