“In what pie?” Diana was inclined to laugh, but restrained herself—for did not Mr. Hunstanton manage to get a finger into every possible kind of pie?
“You know what I think of Pandolfini: you remember what I said to you the other night——”
“You said—nonsense: pardon me—but you know all that is utterly out of the question. It is unkind indeed to suppose anything of a man which he does not betray himself——”
“As if he had not betrayed himself! As if you did not know as well as I do, and a great deal better! Diana, I am going to put it to you once more. Is there the slightest chance for him? Now, don’t keep up your Noes from mere consistency’s sake. I am sure some women do—till they repent it: but I should have no patience with you, who ought to know better! You are not a fool, Diana. You know something of life. You understand that a good, faithful, honest, honourable man—who loves you——”
The tears had come to Mrs. Hunstanton’s eyes. Tom was a great trouble to her often. He was always having a finger in everybody’s pie—but still——she felt as he did that it was something to have a good, faithful, honourable man by your side. Her view was perhaps even higher than his, though she was frank in owning that a married woman’s life was no path of roses. She felt disposed to press matrimony upon Diana even more warmly, more sentimentally, than her husband had pressed it upon Pandolfini—but her hopes of success were a great deal lower. She looked wistfully at her friend through the moisture in her eyes.
“Must I reply to you seriously,” said Diana, “as if there was really something in it? And yet you know so well what I must say. No, there could not be any chance—not if I wished it myself, which I do not.”
“Why, in the name of heaven!—why should there be no chance?” cried Mrs. Hunstanton, vehemently.
“Because—must I explain further?—I have got a trade, an occupation. Women with that are better not to marry; and this would make me refuse any one.”
“Everybody says that men are better managers than women, do business better, could look after your estate better than you could.”
“Hush! I don’t mean to try,” said Diana, with a smile, “whatever anybody says; and I should not wish it, even without this reason,” she said, with the ghost of a sigh.