nce--of her innocent desire for its
possession--the wish had faltered. She had given her tacit agreement
that the thousand pounds should be placed in Nance's hands--the
thousand pounds, of which the greater portion had already gone to swell
the coffers of London tradesmen or fill the pockets of her friends!

That was her position on the night of Nance's confidence; and on the
following morning she woke with an oppressive sense that action must be
taken in some direction.

The whole house party, with the exception of Deerehurst, put in an
appearance at the early breakfast. And as Clodagh entered the
breakfast-room, her spirits rallied a little at the sight of the
crowded table; and she took her place between George Tuffnell and
Serracauld with a sense of respite.

Lady Diana, who was occupying her usual place at the head of the table,
had borne Nance off to sit beside her; while Lady Frances, looking a
little worn in the searching morning light, was keeping Mrs. Bathurst,
Mansfeldt, and Gore amused.

The breakfast was not a long meal; and at its conclusion Lady Diana
looked round the table.

"Now, people!" she said amiably, "what are the morning's plans? You
know, you are none of you to forget my dance to-night, and tire
yourselves!"

Mrs. Bathurst turned to her with her pretty, languid smile.

"I'm going to play croquet with Mr. Mansfeldt," she announced. "Nice,
lazy, old-fashioned croquet. We shall turn up at lunch time."

"And you, Walter?" Lady Diana asked. "Will you drive over with me to
Wynchley? We might take Frances and"--again she looked round the
party--"and Miss Asshlin."

But Nance glanced quickly down the table to where her sister sat.

Clodagh caught the questioning look, and bent her head.

"Yes. Go with Lady Diana," she said affectionately. "It's very sweet of
her to take you."

Nance smiled shyly.

"I know," she said, looking from Clodagh to her hostess.

Lady Diana returned the smile.

"It's sweet of your sister to spare you to me."

While she was speaking, Serracauld turned to Clodagh.

"Will you give _me_ the morning?" he said in an undertone.

She drew back and laughed a little.

"What a conceited suggestion! Fancy throwing my little sister over, to
spend the morning with you!"

He looked at her unabashed. And, as Tuffnell turned to address his
neighbour, he bent close to her again.

"You're very hard on me! When will you be really, properly kind?"

"Oh, sometime--perhaps