It was a long time before they came back to the question of Diana's departure.
"But what excuse can you give for going now, Diana?"
"My health," said Diana, promptly. "Everybody knows that I first went to Germany for the baths, and I can say what is true,—that the dampness here disagrees with me, with my throat."
"But where will you go?"
"To the mountains; oh, Sophie, I shall lift up my eyes to the hills, and hope for strength——"
Out of the ensuing silence came the sound of a little tap at the door.
"Is Diana there?" asked Bettina on the other side. "I thought I heard her voice."
As Bettina came in, the radiance of youth shone from within and round about her. She kissed Diana. "Oh, so many things have happened," rapturously, "since you went away. Do you want me to tell you about them?"
"You blessed baby," said Diana, and it seemed to Sophie that in her voice was a note of sincere affection.
Bettina curled herself up on the foot of Diana's bed. "Well, in the first place," she said, "Anthony gave me a ring—a lovely ring, and a little guard to wear with it."