gh started, and her whole face coloured and
changed. Hurrying across the room, she saw the letter, picked it up,
and tore it open.

"DEAREST CLODAGH," she read.

"I must seem a perfect beast. But my old Aunt Deborah--with whom I
can't afford to quarrel!--has announced her stupid intention of
spending a day in town. And of course it must be this day of all
days! _Do_ be a darling and show you forgive me by coming round to
dine at eight-thirty. Lord Deerehurst returned yesterday from the
famous two months' rest-cure, looking younger than ever. He and Val
will be here to-night. Bridge after dinner. Don't fail to come.

"Yours,

"F. H."

As Clodagh read the last line of the letter, she lifted her head, and
turned with a quick gesture to the maid who was waiting by the door.

"I want a fire lighted here and my tea brought to me immediately it is
ready," she cried in a changed voice. "And send my maid in directly she
arrives. I'm dining out!"

Without waiting for a reply, she crossed the room and paused beside
one of the windows, looking down upon the park. Her spirits had risen;
her excitement had been rekindled; she had been saved from the
companionship she had learned to dread--companionship with herself.

CHAPTER IV

Lady Frances Hope's house was situated in Curzon Street; and thither
Clodagh departed shortly after eight o'clock.

Again she chose a hansom as a means of conveyance, for as yet there had
been no question of her procuring a carriage of her own; and again she
became conscious of the peculiar stimulus, the peculiar power that the
great tide of London life exercises upon its observers. The last
glimmering of daylight was lingering in the sky as the cab passed up
Knightsbridge, but already the houses and hotels were brilliantly
lighted, and the stream of diners and theatre-goers was forming into
its nightly procession.

During that short drive, she encountered many glances--glances of
interest, criticism or curiosity from women well-dressed as herself and
bound upon some such mission as her own--glances of sharp speculation
or sudden admiration from men driving, west or southward. And something
of London's immensity, something of London's secrecy, came to her in
those brief moments; she was stirred by the fact that has moved many
another dweller in the vast city--the fact that every day, every night,
some thousands of lives brush our own in a passing g