"You mean--I'm going to Tallyn!"
"That's it," said Fanny, reproachfully. "And you know I don't get a lot of fun at home--and I might as well be seeing people--and going about with you--though I do have to play second fiddle. You're rich, of course--everybody's nice to you--"
She paused. Diana, struck dumb, could find, for the moment, nothing to say. The red named in Fanny's cheeks, and she turned away with a flounce.
"Oh, well, you'd better say it at once--you're ashamed of me! I haven't had your blessed advantages! Do you think I don't know that!"
In the girl's heightened voice and frowning brow there was a touch of fury, of goaded pride, that touched Diana with a sudden remorse. She ran toward her cousin--appealing:
"I'm very sorry, Fanny. I--I don't like to leave you--but they are my great friends--and Lady Lucy, though she's very kind, is very old-fashioned. One couldn't take the smallest liberty with her. I don't think I could ask to take you--when they are quite by themselves--and the house is only half mounted. But Mrs. Colwood and I had been thinking of several things that might amuse you--and I shall only be two nights away."
"I don't want any amusing--thanks!" said Fanny, walking to the door.
She closed it behind her. Diana clasped her hands overhead in a gesture of amazement.
"To quarrel with me about that--after--the other thing!"
No!--not Tallyn!--not Tallyn!--anywhere, anything, but that!