"I am afraid--she hopes it."
"But I haven't got it!" cried Diana, sitting down on the floor. "I've spent more than I ought on this place; I'm overdrawn; I ought to be economical for a long time. You know, Muriel, I'm not really rich."
Mrs. Colwood colored deeper than ever. But apparently she could think of nothing to say. Her eyes were riveted on her companion.
"No, I'm not rich," resumed Diana, with a frown, drawing circles on the ground with her finger. "Perhaps I oughtn't to have taken this house. I dare say it was horrid of me. But I couldn't have known--could I?--that Fanny would be coming and want a thousand pounds?"
She looked up expecting sympathy--perhaps a little indignation. Mrs. Colwood only said:
"I suppose she would not have come over--if things had not been very bad."
"Why didn't she give me some warning?" cried Diana--"instead of talking about French lessons! But am I bound--do you think I am bound?--to give the Mertons a thousand pounds? I know papa got tired of giving them money. I wonder if it's right!"
She frowned. Her voice was a little stern. Her eyes flashed.
Mrs. Colwood again touched her hair with a hand that trembled.
"They are your only relations, aren't they?" she said, pleadingly.