"Do you forgive me?" he said, as he gave it to her.
The tone was gay and apologetic.
She laughed unsteadily, without reply.
"When will you take your revenge?"
She shook her head, touched his hand for "good-night," and went up-stairs.
As Diana reached her room she drew Mrs. Colwood in with her--but not, it seemed, for purposes of conversation. She stood absently by the fire taking off her bracelets and necklace. Mrs. Colwood made a few remarks about the evening and the guests, with little response, and presently wondered why she was detained. At last Diana put up her hands, and smoothed back the hair from her temples with a long sigh. Then she laid a sudden grasp upon Mrs. Colwood, and looked earnestly and imploringly into her face.
"Will you--please--call me Diana? And--and--will you kiss me?"
She humbly stooped her head. Mrs. Colwood, much touched, threw her arms around her, and kissed her heartily. Then a few warm words fell from her--as to the scene of the evening. Diana withdrew herself at once, shivering a little.
"Oh, I want papa!" she said--"I want him so much!"
And she hid her eyes against the mantel-piece.