So with a wave of her hand, Diana rode away, the groom following at a respectful distance. Yet somehow Miss Betty was uneasy. A presentiment of evil seemed to touch her, and when the riders had disappeared round a bend in the road she felt an insane desire to run after them and call her niece back. She gave herself a little shake, saying that she was a fond old woman, overanxious about Diana. Nevertheless, she laid a detaining hand on her brother’s arm as he was about to go indoors.

“Wait, Horace! You⁠—you will ride with Di more frequently, will you not?”

He looked surprised.

“You are uneasy, Betty?”

“Oh⁠—uneasy⁠—! Well, yes⁠—a little. I do not like her to go alone with a groom, and we do not know this man.”

“My dear! I had the very highest references from Sir Hugh Grandison, who, I am sure, would never recommend anyone untrustworthy. Why, you saw the letter yourself!”