uiet
indifference to outward circumstance that acquaintance with society
teaches. Unconsciously she had learned to move as the women of the
world move--the women who know themselves possessed of a certain value,
and are faintly flattered, faintly amused, perhaps faintly wearied by
the knowledge.

As she walked down the platform a momentary glimmering of
disappointment crossed her face; and she turned to Simonetta who had
come hurrying towards her.

"I thought Lady Frances would have met us," she said. "But I suppose
she is waiting at the flat."

Simonetta looked up solicitously at her mistress. "And the signora?"
she hazarded. "She is not tired?"

Clodagh smiled a little absently.

"Oh no, Simonetta! You must not trouble about me. I have come home, you
know!" She gave a little laugh. "But we must not delay," she added.
"Have you the keys of all the boxes?"

"Yes, signora."

"Then you can see to the examining of the luggage. When it is done,
this porter will put you into a cab. I have given him the address."

"Yes, signora."

"Then I shall see you at the flat?"

"Yes, signora."

Clodagh smiled again; and, turning away, wended her way through the
crowd of passengers surrounded by eager relatives and friends.

Reaching the courtyard of the station, she unostentatiously hailed a
hansom, and, having given her new address to the cabman, took her seat.
A moment later, the cab swung out into London--became one with the
concourse of traffic that, in the season, seems to overflow the
streets. For the instant Clodagh felt herself merged in the teeming
life, which the open doors of the vehicle permitted to approach so
nearly; for the instant she stifled the sense of isolation that had
been slowly gathering force. And, leaning forward in her seat, fixed
her attention upon the passing scene.

Across Trafalgar Square, up Waterloo Place, and into the traffic of
Piccadilly she was borne with exhilarating speed--the cabman avoiding
with extreme dexterity the throng of carriages, motor cars, and
omnibuses that seemed momentarily to increase. To Clodagh, sitting
rigidly attentive, the scene appeared like an impressive pageant--a
pageant of magnificent wealth and abundant prosperity, a splendid,
characteristic picture, in which the budding English trees, the
imposing English clubs, the gorgeous English equipages, and the
beautiful English women made up the background and the central figures.
It was the great procession of