The Black Moth

"He is the only man I will ever marry! So you may cease looking higherfor me! I suppose you want me to marry that great gaby, Sir DenisFabian, you are for ever inviting to the house? Or, perhaps, thisgallant Mr. Bettison? Or Mr. Everard? How _can_ you be so unkind?"

"I am not. But I could not bear to see you throw yourself away on ahighwayman, my dear."

Diana ran to her, putting her arms round her neck.

"Dearest auntie, forgive my rudeness! I know you did not mean to beunkind! But you do not understand--I _love_ him."

"I always said you'd take it badly," nodded Miss Betty gloomily.

"Take what badly?"

"Love. And no man is worth one tear-drop, sweet."

The confident, tender little laugh that answered this statement made herlook at her suddenly changed niece in surprise.

"You don't know," said Diana. Her eyes were soft and luminous. "You justdo not know."

Before Miss Betty could think of a suitable retort, a knock fell on thedoor. It was opened, and Thomas was found to be without.

"My Lady O'Hara is below, madam."

For an instant the two ladies stared at one another. Then:

"La and drat!" said Miss Betty. "With the drawing-room in a muddle aftercleaning!"

Diana nodded to the man.

"We will come, Thomas." Then as soon as he had withdrawn, she staredagain at her aunt. "Lady O'Hara! But why?"

"I suppose she felt she must call after Sir Miles had been here sooften. But why, for goodness' sake, must she choose the one day that thedrawing-room is all untidy? Drat again, I say!"

Diana was powdering her little nose, and anxiously looking to see if thetear-stains had quite vanished.

"'Tis not untidy, Aunt Betty. Oh, I am quite eager to see her--I thinkshe must be charming, from all Sir Miles said. Do hurry, aunt!"

Miss Betty stuck a pin into her hair and smoothed out her dress.

"And me in this old taffeta!" she grumbled.

Diana swirled round, her own peach-coloured silk rustling fashionably.

"Never mind, dear--you look very sweet. But _do_ be quick!" Miss Bettysuffered herself to be led to the door.

"'Tis all very fine for you, my love, with a new gown fresh on to-day!Will you just take a look at my petticoat, though?"

"Nonsense, you are beautiful! Come!"

Together they descended the stairs, and went into the drawing-room.

A dainty, very diminutive little lady arose from a chair at their entry,and came forward with outstretched hands, and such a fascinating smilethat Miss Betty's ill-humour vanished, and she responded to hervisitor's deep curtsy with one of her best jerky dips.

"I am vastly delighted to welcome you, madam," she said primly. "'Tisgood in you to come this long way to see us."

She drew a chair forward for my lady, and presented her niece. LadyO'Hara gave the girl a swift, scrutinising glance, and curtsied again.

"'Tis a great pleasure to me to meet you at last, Miss Beauleigh," shesmiled. "My husband has told me so much of you, I declare I was all agogto meet you!"

Diana warmed instantly to the little lady's charm.