d almost at once, and came
directly to her side.

"What is your pleasure?" he said. "Bridge?"

She looked up swiftly.

"Yes, bridge," she said quickly. "I feel I must have excitement
to-night."

He looked at her immovably.

"As you wish," he said calmly. "I shall ask Rose Bathurst and Mansfeldt
to play."

He turned away, and at the same moment Lady Diana came forward from a
little group that included her husband and Gore. Coming close to
Clodagh, she laid her hand kindly on her arm.

"Well, Mrs. Milbanke," she said pleasantly, "how shall we amuse you
this evening?"

Clodagh turned swiftly. Her nerves felt so tense and strained that even
her hostess's quiet voice set them tingling.

"Oh, I have chosen my amusement," she said. "I want a game of bridge,
and Lord Deerehurst has gone to make up a four."

Lady Diana's expression changed, betraying a leaven of disappointment.

"Bridge?" she repeated. "Do you think you are quite wise? Remember your
headache!"

Clodagh gave a short, excited laugh.

"Ah, you are not a bridge-player, Lady Diana! If you were, you would
know that bridge is a cure for all the ills of humanity. Here comes
Lord Deerehurst with two accomplices! Fancy, it is the first time I
have met the rich Mr. Mansfeldt!"

Lady Diana was silent. She looked once more at Clodagh--a rapid,
penetrating look that might have belonged to her sister. Then she
compelled herself to smile.

"I hope your game will be a good one," she said graciously; and moving
quietly away, she rejoined her husband.

Almost at the same moment Deerehurst approached, followed at some
little distance by Mrs. Bathurst and Mansfeldt--a South African
millionaire, who had recently found his way into society.

"Rose is making the running," he remarked in a maliciously amused
whisper. "She asked me before dinner exactly what Mansfeldt is worth.
Ah, here you are, Mansfeldt!" he added aloud. "Allow me to present you
to Mrs. Milbanke! Mrs. Milbanke, will you show us the way to the
card-room? I hear you are the spoiled child of the house!"

Clodagh bowed to Mansfeldt; and responding at once to Deerehurst's
suggestion, led the way across the hall.

The card-room at Tuffnell was the only room in the big, rambling house
that had not preserved an air of old-world repose; here alone, the
artistic decorator had been allowed to encroach upon the handiwork of
time; and the result, although comfortable and even luxurious, was
modern and sli