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On reaching Beechcote she noticed a fly at the door, and paused a moment to consider whether her visit might not be inopportune. It was a beautiful day, and Diana and Mrs. Colwood were probably to be found in some corner of the garden. Mrs. Roughsedge walked round the side of the house to reconnoitre.
Do you know, it's so unlucky and so strange! but he has certainly taken a dislike to Miss Mallory I believe it was because he had hoped some Christian Socialist friends of his would have taken Beechcote, and he was disappointed to find it let to some one with what he calls 'silly Tory notions' and no particular ideas about Church matters. I don't understand " The Vicar advanced toward them.
"If I can, I will come down to Beechcote on Saturday again. Meanwhile, do let me urge you to take care of your health, and not to dwell too much on a past that nothing can alter. I understand, of course, how it must affect you; but I am sure it will be best best, indeed, for us both that you should now put it as much as possible out of your mind. It may not be possible to hide the sad truth.
You never care a bit about them. So at last I brought her the map and made her look at it 'Felton Park to Brinton, 3 miles Haylesford, 4 miles Beechcote, 2 miles and 1/2 Beechcote Manor, half a mile total, ten miles. 'Oliver! she got so red!
Much to Diana's chagrin, Sir James entirely declined to allow her to aid in it financially, except so far as equipping her cousin with clothes went, and providing her with a small sum for her wedding journey. Personally, he considered that the week during which Fanny stayed at Beechcote was as much as Diana could be expected to contribute, and that she had indeed paid the lion's share.
And Diana had never said a word to her about it to her own cousin! Nasty, close, mean ways! Fanny was not good enough for Tallyn oh no! She was asked to Beechcote when there was nothing going on or next to nothing and one might yawn one's self to sleep with dulness from morning till night.
"If I can whisper you what you want," said Oliver, huskily, "it's at your service! There are the cigarettes." The talk lasted long. Midnight was near before the two men separated. The news of Marsham's election reached Ferrier under Sir James Chide's roof, in the pleasant furnished house about four miles from Beechcote, of which he had lately become the tenant in order to be near Diana.
Only when Diana, at the end of their walk, shyly remarked that money was not to stand in the way; that she had plenty; that Beechcote was no doubt too expensive for her, but that the tenancy was only a yearly one, and she had but to give notice at Michaelmas, which she thought of doing only then did Sir James allow himself a laugh.
The Christmas service in the parish church was agreeable enough. The Beechcote pew was at the back of the church, and as the new mistress of the old house entered and walked down the aisle, she drew the eyes of a large congregation of rustics and small shopkeepers. Diana moved in a kind of happy absorption, glancing gently from side to side.
If her relations objected to the situation, it could, of course, be made worth his while to change it. All his recent sayings and doings, as Fanny reported them, clearly bore this interpretation. As Diana sat, dismally pondering, an idea flashed upon her. Sir James Chide was to dine at Beechcote that night.
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