"Purple is poetical. I am certain a dark, rich red would be magnificent on you; for it is you who will beautify the colour, not the colour you. I shall get you the first stuff of that colour I see that is of the right hue."
"Pray don't, Evan. Wait," said Diana, flushing more and more.
"Wait? I'll not wait a minute longer than till I see it. My beauty! what a delight to get things for you—and with you! Officers' quarters are sorry places sometimes, Diana; but won't it be fun for you and me to work transformations, and make our own world; that is our own home? What does Mrs. Starling think of me?"
"I have told her nothing, Evan, yet. She was so busy this morning, I had not a good chance."
"I'll confront her when she comes home this evening."
"O no, Evan; leave it to me; I want to take a good time. She will not like it much anyhow."
"I don't see really how she should. I have sympathy—no, I haven't! I haven't a bit. I am so full of my own side of the question, it is sheer hypocrisy to pretend I have any feeling for anybody else. When will you come down to Elmfield?"
"To Elmfield?" said Diana.
"To begin to learn to know them all. I want them to know you."
"You have not spoken to them about me?"