nutes to go from anywhere," he said. "Ask
Nance if it doesn't!"

Clodagh laughed gaily.

"Good! Then I can ask ten more questions about Boston. Mrs. Estcoit,
please tell me----"

But she paused before her sentence was finished. For the handle of the
door had turned; and, looking up quickly, she saw the tall figure of
Deerehurst.

Had any member of the party looked at her in that moment, he or she
would have seen a wave of colour sweep across her face, then die out,
leaving her almost white. But beyond this, she betrayed no emotion;
and, a moment later, when Deerehurst came towards her across the room
with his habitual slow, silent step, she raised her head, smiling a
conventional welcome, and held out her hand.

He took it silently, and with a slightly ostentatious impressiveness.

"A thousand apologies if I intrude on a social gathering," he murmured.
"But on returning home, I chanced upon the book we were discussing
to-day, and remembering how interested you were----" With a very quiet
movement he laid a small and costly little book of verses on the arm of
Clodagh's chair, and turned with his usual dignity to where Nance was
standing.

"How d'you do, Miss Asshlin! Is it too late to beg for a cup of tea?"

Nance held out her hand.

"I'm afraid 'twill be rather cold," she said a little ungraciously.
"But if you don't mind that, will you please ring the bell? We shall
want another cup."

Estcoit glanced at her, a humorous look hovering about his thin lips;
and at the same instant Gore was conscious of a sudden wave of
brotherly affection.

But Deerehurst showed no embarrassment. He turned to the fireplace,
pressed the bell, then looked round again upon the little group.

"Hallo, Gore!" he said carelessly. "I thought you were killing salmon
at the home of the ancestors. How d'you do, Mr. Estcoit?"

He nodded to the young American; then moved away again to where Clodagh
sat.

"What a dreadful afternoon!" he said. "Why haven't you changed into
something lighter?" He glanced at her riding habit.

She blushed and looked up hastily.

"We have just been saying what a glorious afternoon! But I don't think
you have met Mrs. and Miss Estcoit. Let me introduce you! Lord
Deerehurst, Mrs. Estcoit!"

Both ladies bowed, and Mrs. Estcoit broke at once into an unaffected
flow of talk, to which Deerehurst listened with polite interest,
smiling now and then, and occasionally raising his eyeglass.

At last, as she p