She gave her foot to the groom just as Mr. Beauleigh came out to watch her start.

“Really, my dear, I must ride with you tomorrow,” he told her. “ ’Tis an age since we have been out together.”

“Why, Papa, will you not accompany me this afternoon?” cried Diana eagerly. “I should so like it!”

It struck her aunt that Harper awaited the answer to this question rather anxiously. She watched him, puzzled. However, when Mr. Beauleigh had refused she could not see any change in his expression, and concluded that she must have been mistaken.