ble moved or even
looked round; but immediately afterwards there was a stir amongst the
players, and the light sound of cards thrown hastily down, followed by
a quick laugh in a woman's voice.

"Game--and rubber! Well done, partner! How does the score stand, Tory?"

The owner of the laugh rose from her seat, and almost instantly turned
to the door, revealing to Clodagh's curious eyes a strong, energetic
face, redeemed from ugliness by a pair of intensely intelligent eyes
and a mouth that displayed strong white teeth. It was the somewhat
disconcerting face of a clever woman to whom life represents an
undeniable--if an invigorating--struggle. Seeing the little group by
the doorway, she hurried forward with an almost masculine assurance.

"You poor, dear people!" she exclaimed in her strong voice. "A thousand
apologies! We were on the point of finishing a most exciting
rubber----" Her voice broke off short, as her eyes rested on Clodagh.

"Who is this, Barny?" she asked interestedly.

Barnard stepped forward, laying his hand smilingly on Clodagh's arm.

"This, my dear Frances," he said, "is a new friend that I want you to
make! The wife of an old friend of mine. You may have met her
husband--Mr. Milbanke--one of the Somerset Milbankes. Poor Sammy knew
him well."

Lady Frances Hope puckered her strong, assertive eyebrows.

"I believe I do remember meeting a Mr. Milbanke, but I scarcely
think----" She looked scrutinisingly at Clodagh.

"Oh yes, it's the same!--it's the same!" Barnard's interruption was
somewhat hasty. "Mr. Milbanke is a great archaeologist. He and Mrs.
Milbanke are only in Venice for a week. I had intended bringing you to
call formally at their hotel; but circumstances----"

Here Clodagh broke in.

"You must please, please forgive my doing such a very extraordinary
thing as this," she said. "It was all Mr. Barnard's fault----"

But Lady Frances Hope cut the explanation short by holding out her
hand.

"You are extremely welcome!" she said cordially. "And if the truth must
be told, I owe you a debt of gratitude for saving me an afternoon call.
It's a hundred times pleasanter to meet like this. Now, let me see! You
play bridge, of course. We can make up another four."

She glanced over her guests with an organising eye.

Clodagh stepped forward deprecatingly and cast a beseeching look at
Barnard. But in the slight pause that followed, it was Lord Deerehurst
who came to her rescue.

"Mrs. Mil