This postponement left him free to devote much more of his time to his wife than would otherwise have been possible, and for the first few months after their marriage it seemed as though no shadow could ever fall athwart their happiness.
In this respect Baroni's prognostications of evil had failed to materialise, but his fears that marriage would interfere with Diana's musical career were better founded.

Quite easily and naturally she slipped out of the professional life which had just been opening its doors to her.

She felt no inclination to continue singing in public.
Max filled her existence, and although she still persevered with her musical training under Baroni, she told him with a frank enjoyment of the situation that she was far too happy and enjoying herself far too much to have any desire at present to take up the arduous work of a public singer! Baroni was immeasurably disappointed, and not all Diana's assurances that in a year, or two at most, she would go back into harness once more sufficed to cheer him.
"A year--two years!" he exclaimed.

"Two years lost at the critical time--just at the commencement of your career! Ah, my dear Mrs.
Errington, you had better haf lost four years later on when you haf established yourself." To Max himself the old _maestro_ was short and to the point when chance gave him the opportunity of a few moments alone with him.
"You haf stolen her from me, Max Errington--you haf broken your promise that she should be free to sing." Max responded good-humouredly:-- "She _is_ free, _Maestro_, free to do exactly as she chooses.

And she has chosen--to be my wife, to live for a time the pleasant, peaceful life that ordinary, everyday folk may live, who are not rushed hither and thither at the call of a career.