“Well, there is certainly one way to find out.Come.”
She offered her hand, he took it, and they went down to the sitting-room and entered to find Sir Desmond examining one of her father’sbooks.
“I believe I read this at university,” Sir Desmond said. “And you are ProfessorBrowning?”
“Yes, I am. And how may I assistyou?”
The gentleman placed the book back on the shelf and continued, “I am Sir Desmond Gallagher, emissary from her Majesty QueenVictoria.”
“Emissary, then you must have a message forme?”
“I do.” He pulled a large envelope from a case that he carried. “Her Majesty wishes to inform you that she has chosen to bestow upon you the Order of Merit for your scholastic excellence and to honor the range, breadth, and contribution of your published works. Congratulations,Professor.”
Her father was speechless, so Diana steppedforward.
“He is overcome with emotion by the honor. Might I accept the envelope forhim?”
“Of course. And we will be contacting him shortly with the details of theinvestiture.”
The meeting was interrupted by knocking at the front door. Diana realized that must be Adam. She quickly checked the clock and saw that their appointment at the solicitors was in just thirtyminutes.
“Sir Desmond, I must answer the door, but might we offer you a glass ofsherry?”
“That would belovely.”
Diana turned to her father. “That must be Adam. Will you please pour a sherry for SirDesmond?”
Father seemed to regain his wits. “Certainly.”
Diana dashed out of the sitting-room and went to thedoor.
Adam was standing smiling at her. “Are we ready to go? I have the necessary documents from my father for theloan.”
“Come with me.” Diana reached over and grabbed Adam’s arm and led him toward thegallery.
“What?”
They burst into the gallery and Diana cried out. “Mother, come. It is veryimportant.”
Mother stood up at her easel. “Is something wrong with your father?” she askedanxiously.
“Not at all. But come with me. Both ofyou.”
Diana ran breathlessly ahead to the sitting-room with them followingbehind.
She proudly announced, “Father has just been awarded the OM. Is that notsplendid?”
* * *
As toastsof sherry were being offered, Diana turned to her father and whispered, “Father, the solicitors. We are already runninglate.”
“Oh, yes. That must be attended to immediately.” He turned to Sir Desmond. “You must excuse us but we have a most urgent appointment we must attend to. Can you forgive us for dashingoff?”
“Of course. Are you allleaving?”
“All except for my wife,Ann.”
“Then we shall have a delightful conversation until you return. I still have a number of details I should like to discuss withyou.”
“We should not be toolong.”
“Father, come. We must leave now,” Dianainsisted.
Father nodded to Sir Desmond and gathered together Diana and Adam, and they left to finally secure the leasehold for the next fiftyyears.
