eating figure; then, apparently without reason, she
frowned, drew her lips together, and pushing her door hastily open,
passed out of sight.

Still imbued with the sense of contentment, Clodagh changed her heavy
black travelling dress for one of lighter texture, allowed Simonetta to
rearrange her hair, and, at the appointed hour, presented herself at
Lady Frances Hope's door.

Lady Frances had also discarded her elaborate costume for something
lighter and more comfortable, and was ensconced on a low divan, reading
a French novel, when her guest was announced. Immediately Clodagh's
name reached her, she threw the book aside, and rose with great
cordiality.

"How sweet you look!" she exclaimed. "You are the first dark woman I've
ever liked in black. But then, of course, you are not exactly dark. Sit
down! Dinner will be served in a moment. How did you know of this
place? Have you stayed here before?"

Clodagh had come forward and seated herself beside her hostess. Now, as
she looked about her, she noticed with a feeling of restfulness that
the room was pretty and homelike, and that there were flowers on the
tables and soft yellow shades on the electric lamps.

"No; I have never been here before. Mr. Barnard gave the address to
my--my husband, when we were in Venice; and I came across it among his
papers after--after----" She hesitated.

Lady Frances leaned forward sympathetically.

"Poor child!" she murmured. "Don't talk of it! You have had a most
trying time. Barny told me all about it only a week ago. But this place
is really quite good," she added, in a cheerful voice; "better now than
ever. They have just secured the chef from the 'Abbati' Restaurant in
Venice. But, of course, you knew 'Abbati's.'"

Her quick glance passed over Clodagh's face. Then she rose and moved to
the table, as two waiters entered, and dinner was announced.

Clodagh coloured, and crossed the room in her hostess's wake.

"Yes," she said, taking her seat at the table--"yes; I once dined
there. It was a wonderfully fascinating place. Has it been a failure?"

Lady Frances shrugged her shoulders.

"Vanished! But tell me about yourself!" She turned to her guest with a
change of manner. "You are not seriously contemplating England at this
time of year?"

Clodagh smiled calmly.

"Quite seriously."

"But, my dear child, why, if one may be inquisitive?"

"Because I want to know England--to know the English."

Lady Frances's eyes na