ghtly bizarre. An Oriental carpet, a few divans and
coffee stools, half a dozen chairs, and three or four baize-covered
tables comprised the somewhat conventional furniture; while the walls
were covered in fabric of bright scarlet and decorated with a peculiar
and extravagant frieze representing the fifty-two cards of the pack. As
Clodagh entered, an irrepressible recollection of London--of the
clubs--the card-rooms--the smoking-rooms of London--where men and women
idle away their lives and their money, rose to her mind, banishing the
pictures of country peace that the last twelve hours had conjured.

Pausing by one of the tables, she looked back at her three companions.

"Let's cut for partners!" she cried quickly, picking up an unused pack
of cards. "See! I've cut a ten!"

Mrs. Bathurst came languidly forward and raised a portion of the pack.

"A three!" she said. "Now Mr. Mansfeldt, and Lord Deerehurst!" She
looked with graceful interest towards the men.

Deerehurst cut a four; then the millionaire followed with a two.

Her face flushed with pleasure.

"How strange!" she murmured. "Do you mind having a very stupid partner,
Mr. Mansfeldt?" Her large brown eyes rested on the rich man's face,
exactly as they had rested upon Deerehurst's in the days at Venice.

Observing and comprehending this, by the light of recent knowledge,
Clodagh gave a sharp, amused laugh.

"I think every one is satisfied, Rose," she said. "Now, about points!
Lord Deerehurst, what points?"

Deerehurst bowed complacently.

"What you like, partner! Our usual forty shillings a hundred?"

"Or twenty shillings a hundred?" suggested Mrs. Bathurst with a
deprecating smile at Mansfeldt.

Again Clodagh laughed.

"You are getting very modest, Rose! Do you remember the last time we
were opponents at bridge? But I won't tell tales out of school!"

Mrs. Bathurst looked annoyed.

"Would it be quite wise----?" she asked sharply.

But Deerehurst intervened.

"Well," he said, "shall we decide on forty-shilling points? Mr.
Mansfeldt, do you agree?"

Mansfeldt, who was an intensely reserved and silent man, looked up
unemotionally.

"I am in your hands," he said; and following the example already set by
Clodagh and Mrs. Bathurst, he seated himself at the card-table.

"Very well! Forty-shilling points." Deerehurst also seated himself, and
began to collect the scattered cards.

But with a swift gesture, Clodagh leant across the table and plac