This, of course, could not be permitted to go on, and an explosion was clearly to be expected; but what Diana dreaded most was the accidental development of some unseen chance.
After she had been married some two weeks, when Octave proposed in the afternoon that they should go for a walk, she agreed.

Her preparations were soon completed, and they started off, blithe and lively as children on a holiday ramble.

As they loitered in a wooded path, they heard a dog barking in the cover.

It was Bruno, who rushed out, and, standing on his hind legs, endeavored to lick Diana's face.
"Help, help, Octave!" she exclaimed, and her husband, springing to her side, drove away the animal.
"Were you very much alarmed, dearest ?" asked he.
"Yes," answered she faintly; "I was almost frightened to death." "I do not think that he would do you any harm," remarked Octave.
"No matter; make him go away;" and as she spoke she struck at him with her parasol.

But the dog never for a moment supposed that Diana was in earnest, and, supposing that she intended to play with him, as she had often done before, began to gambol round her, barking joyously the whole time.
"But this dog evidently knows you, Diana," observed the Viscount.
"Know me?
Impossible!" and as she spoke Bruno ran up and licked her hand.