He listened to Ferrier's praises of Miss Mallory, to his generous appreciation of Marsham's future, to his speculations as to what Lady Lucy would do for her son, upon his marriage, or as to the part which a creature so brilliant and so winning as Diana might be expected to play in London and in political life.
Sir James said little or nothing.

He knew Lady Lucy well, and had known her long.

Presently he rose abruptly and went up-stairs to bed.
"Ought I to speak ?" he asked himself, in an agony of doubt.

"Perhaps a word to Ferrier?
--" No!--impossible!--impossible! Yet, as he mounted the stairs, over the house which had just seen the triumph of Diana, over that radiant figure itself, the second sight of the great lawyer perceived the brooding of a cloud of fate; nor could he do anything to avert or soften its downfall.
* * * * * Meanwhile Diana's golden hour had found an unexpected epilogue.

After her good-night to Marsham she was walking along the gallery corridor going toward her room, when she perceived Miss Vincent in front of her moving slowly and, as it seemed, with difficulty.