rhaps we ought to announce
our--our engagement----"

He halted nervously.

As soon as he had begun to speak, Clodagh had walked away from him
across the room; and now she stood by the mantelpiece looking down
steadily into the fire.

"Do you agree with me?" he asked, moving nervously towards her.

There was an embarrassed silence. And in his perturbation he glanced
from her bent head to the picture above the chimneypiece from which
Anthony Asshlin's ardent face showed out a vague patch of colour
against its black background.

"Clodagh," he said suddenly, "allow me to tell Mrs. Asshlin that you
have promised to marry me."

But still Clodagh did not answer; still she stood gazing enigmatically
into the burning logs, her slight figure and warm youthful face
fitfully lighted by the capricious, spurting flames.

"Clodagh!" he exclaimed. And there was a note of uneasiness in his low,
deprecating voice.

Then at last she turned, and their eyes met.

"Very well!" she said quietly. "You may tell Aunt Fan. But, if you
don't mind, I'll ride by myself."

That night, at the conclusion of dinner, the engagement was announced.
All the members of the Asshlin family were seated round the table when
Milbanke, who had practically eaten nothing during the meal, summoned
his wavering courage and leaned across the table towards Mrs. Asshlin,
who was sitting at his right hand.

"Mrs. Asshlin," he began almost inaudibly, "I--that is, Clodagh and
I"--he glanced timidly to where Clodagh sat erect and immovable, at the
head of the table--"Clodagh and I have--have an announcement to make.
We, that is I----" He stammered hopelessly. "Mrs. Asshlin, Clodagh has
made me very--very proud and very happy. She has consented to--to be my
wife."

He took a deep, agitated breath of wordless relief that the confession
was made.

There was a long pause. Then suddenly Mrs. Asshlin extended both hands
towards him in an hysterical outburst of feeling.

"My dear--dear Mr. Milbanke," she said. "What a shock! What a surprise,
I should say! What would my poor brother-in-law have thought! But
Providence ordains everything. I'm sure I congratulate you--congratulate
you both." She turned to Clodagh. "Though of course it is not the time
for congratulations----" She hastily drew out her handkerchief.

As she did so, little Nance rose softly from table and slipped
unobserved from the room. At Milbanke's words, the child's face had
turned terribly whi