The rumor had preceded her arrival that Marsham had been very much "smitten" with her amid the pine woods of Portofino.

Marsham's taste was good--emphatically good.

At the same time it was clear that the lady was no mere facile and commonplace girl.

It was Forbes's opinion, based on the scene of the previous evening, that there might be a good deal of wooing to be done.
* * * * * "There are so many things I wanted to show you--and to talk about!" said Oliver Marsham, confidentially, to Diana, in the hall after breakfast--"but this horrid shoot will take up all the day! If the weather is not too bad, I think some of the ladies meant to join us at luncheon.

Will you venture ?" His tone was earnest; his eyes indorsed it.