“Don’t ask me to help you, that’s all.”
“Aunt Elsie will help me.”
Uncle Marcus put down the “Scotsman.” Diana had taken his middle stump with a fast underhand ball—so he would have described it.
“My dear child,” he said, “don’t do anything rash—it’s all perfectly simple. What has happened to you has happened to most women—girls—I expect—attractive girls, I mean. You are, I am sure, in no way to blame....”
“Let me get on to the sofa, darling,” said Diana; “there, that’s right, now go on.”
“What was I saying?” resumed Uncle Marcus. “You are in no way to blame—”
“I am kissing my hand to you hard,” said Diana, from the depths of the sofa.
“Well, don’t interrupt me. I was saying, you are in no way to blame. Men must take their chances. It happens that two men are in love with you—two at least—both are excellent young men. It is perhaps difficult for you to choose between them, for in your inexperience you possibly hardly realize what it is you want—what kind of life would most appeal to you—let me help you! St. Jermyn is heir to large estates—he is going into Parliament. I am told he will make a name. He speaks well—has something to say—and says it clearly. Hastings, as A.D.C. to your father, has seen life from a different point of view. He has walked too much, perhaps, on red carpet—has seen the world too much, perhaps, from the Government House point of view; but he has plenty of brains and is no doubt older than he looks. His boyish manner makes him seem younger than he is. He was telling me something of his prospects last night when St. Jermyn interrupted us. It seems he will have a certain amount if not very much—but as I have told you, I am perfectly willing to help you to marry the man you really love. He undoubtedly has high ideals and a great reverence for women—so, for the matter of that, has St. Jermyn, very markedly so. Of course—”
Uncle Marcus, touched by the depth of his own understanding, turned to look at Diana—she was fast asleep.
And while she slept Hastings on the island was thinking of her. He had first heard of her, loved to hear of her: he had fallen in love with her because of the look in her mother’s eyes when she spoke of her, because of the way her father smiled when he thought of her.