She instantly started up and with hasty fingers straightened her tumbled curls.
"Pray enter!" she called, trying to sound jaunty. To complete the illusion, she started to hum. Her aunt entered.
"I came to see if you had my broidery. I cannot find it, and I am sure 'twas you brought it in from the garden this morning."
"Yes--oh, yes--I am so sorry! 'Tis in that corner on the chair, I think," replied Diana, keeping her face averted.
Miss Betty cast a shrewd glance at her, and sat down on the sofa with the air of one who means to stay.
Diana pretended to search for something in a cupboard.
"I do not know. 'Tis what I want to find out," answered Miss Betty placidly.
"There is nought amiss, I assure you!" To prove the truth of this statement, Diana essayed a laugh. It was a poor attempt, and wavered pitifully into a sob.
"I--I'm n-not!" avowed Diana, hunting wildly for her pocket-handkerchief. "'Tis a cold in the head I have had these three days."
"Indeed, my love? Longer than that, I fear."
"I doubt but what you caught it the day that Mr. Carr left us."
"No, my dear. Come and sit beside me and tell me all about it," coaxed Miss Betty.
Diana hesitated, gave a damp sniff, and obeyed.
Miss Betty drew her head down on to her shoulder soothingly.
"There, there! Don't cry, my sweet! What has happened?"
"'Tis that odious Mr. Bettison!" sobbed Diana "He--he had the audacity to ask me to m-marry him!"
"You don't say so, my love! I thought I heard him arrive. So you sent him about his business?"
"N-not before he had time to insult m-me!"
"He--he dared to insinuate--oh no! he accused me outright--of being infatuated by Mr. Carr! Infatuated!"
Over her head Miss Betty opened her eyes at her own reflection in the glass.
"Of--of course 'tis true, but h-how dared he say so?"
"Di, my love, you really are in love with that boy?"
"I--I--I asked him to marry me--and he wouldn't!"
"Good gracious heavens!" Miss Betty was genuinely horrified. "My dear Diana!"
"N-not outright--b-but he understood--and--he loves me! And I'd do it again to-morrow, if I could--immodest or no! So there!"
"Yes, yes," soothed Miss Betty hastily. "Tell me all about it." Diana lifted her head.
"That's all. And he loves me--he does--he does!"