de George Tuffnell, sat Mrs. Bathurst, radiant in
summer garments; behind were Deerehurst, Serracauld, Gore, and a
middle-aged man who was unknown to her. As her eyes passed from one
face to another, Tuffnell drew the horses up with great dexterity; the
servants sprang to the ground; and Lady Diana came hospitably forward
from the recesses of the hall.

The first guest to descend from the coach was Serracauld. Reaching the
ground, he paused for a second to brush some dust from his light
flannel suit; then he came forward to his hostess.

"How d'you do, Lady Diana!--and Lady Frances!"

He shook hands with both; then he turned to Clodagh with rather more
impressiveness.

"How tremendously fit you look!" he said.

Before she could answer, Deerehurst joined them, calmly taking her hand
as though it were his right.

"Well,--Circe!" he said below his breath. "We have followed!"

Clodagh turned her eyes hastily, almost nervously, from Serracauld's
attentive face to the cold features of the older man.

"I--I should feel very flattered," she said lightly.

Her eyes were on Deerehurst's, her hand was in his, but her mind was
poignantly conscious of Gore's figure standing close behind her--of
Gore's voice exchanging grettings with Lady Diana Tuffnell.

A moment later, she knew that he had turned and had seen the tableau
made by the old peer, Serracauld, and herself.

"How d'you do, Mrs. Milbanke? It is a long time since we have met."

It was not until he had directly addressed her, not until she had
turned and met his glance, that Clodagh realised how deeply, how
peculiarly he had influenced her. She drew her fingers sharply from
Deerehurst's.

"It is a long time," she said very softly.

Gore took her hand.

At the same moment Deerehurst laughed--his laugh of unfathomable
cynical wisdom.

"Mrs. Milbanke was the chrysalis in those old days, Gore!" he said
lightly. "Now you see the butterfly!"

At the laugh and the tone, Gore's expression became cold, and he
released Clodagh's hand.

"So I have been told," he said a little stiffly. "I must congratulate
Mrs. Milbanke on her development." He gave a slightly constrained laugh
and moved back to Lady Diana's side.

Deerehurst looked after him--a malicious, humorous look.

"Isn't it too lenient of the prettiest lady in London to allow a young
puritan to take her to task in public?" he asked in his satirical
voice.

Clodagh flushed; and turning, as if to answer,