st the dancers.

They made the half-circuit of the room, escaping the observation of the
house party at its further end; and as they reached the door, Clodagh
pressed her hand detainingly on Serracauld's arm.

He paused.

"Tired?" he asked, looking down into her flushed face and brilliant
eyes.

She shook her head faintly. Her heart was still beating too fast--her
brain still felt too elated--to notice the ardour and the intentness of
his glance.

"We must stop," she said softly. "You know, even the two minutes were
stolen."

He slowly withdrew his arm from her waist, but still kept his eyes on
hers.

"I suppose all the things in life worth having are come by
dishonestly," he said lightly. Then, in a lower tone, he added, "Do you
know that you dance--gloriously?"

Clodagh made no answer. Her mind was more occupied with the dance just
gone through than with the partner who had shared it. And for the
moment Serracauld was content with her silence.

Leaving the ballroom, they passed together down a long corridor that
ended in a short flight of stairs, leading to the card-room.

At the foot of these stairs he paused, struck by a new idea.

"Suppose we look into the card-room?" he said. "I believe it will be
deserted at this early hour."

Clodagh assented.

"If you like," she said. "It _would_ be rather nice to find a quiet
spot." And, leading the way with careless unconcern, she began to mount
the stairs.

The door of the card-room was open. The baize-covered tables were
arranged for play; but only one small, green-shaded lamp had been
lighted; and the window was uncurtained and open to the still summer
night.

She paused on the threshold, and Serracauld stepped quickly to her
side.

"It might almost have been arranged for us," he said. "Won't you go
in?"

She waited for a moment longer; then she walked slowly forward and
halted beside one of the tables.

Very quietly her companion closed the door, and, crossing the room
softly, paused close behind her.

"Do you know that you dance--gloriously?" he said again. "But I always
knew you would. A waltz with you is one of the things I promised myself
a long time ago."

As he spoke, she was conscious that his shoulder almost brushed hers.
With a faintly uneasy movement she raised her head.

"What do you mean?" she asked, turning and meeting his eyes.

In the dim light of the room there was something curious, new, and
alarming in the glance she enco