She was enveloped in a rapturous embrace.
"Auntie, you know you love him almost as much as I do?"
"No, that I do not!" was the grim retort. "I am not like to want to marry him!"
There was another watery giggle at this, and Diana went over to the dressing-table to tidy her hair.
"I doubt I shall never see him again," she said wretchedly. "Oh, auntie, if you could but have seen his dear, unhappy eyes!"
"Stuff and nonsense! Not see him again, forsooth! He will call upon us in town. 'Tis but common politeness."
"You forget he is a highwayman, and not like to come nigh us again."
"Well, my dear, if he cares for you as you say he does, he will see to it that he takes up some decent occupation. Mayhap, he will go into the army, or what not. Then wait and see if he does not come to you."
"Do you think so?" doubtfully.
"Of course I do, sweetheart! And if he does not try to mend his ways, and you see him no more—why then, snap your fingers at him, my love, for he will not be worth one tear!"