aused, he looked at her in faint curiosity.

"And you really find an interest in England?" he asked.

She gave a bright, cordial laugh--a laugh that seemed to testify to the
perennial youth of her countrywomen.

"This is the twenty-first visit I've paid to England," she said, "and I
love it more every time. When my son turns me out of my home in Boston,
I shall buy one of your country places--as a dower-house!" Again she
laughed, casting an affectionate glance towards Nance and Estcoit!
"But, Clodagh, we really must fly. Good-bye, Lord Deerehurst! Delighted
to have met you!" She rose gracefully, shook hands with the old peer,
and turning to Clodagh, took both her hands and kissed her warmly.

"Good-bye!" she said--"good-bye! It has been perfectly charming!"

Clodagh smiled a quick response.

"Indeed it has--for me. Don't forget to-morrow night!"

"Forget! Why, I'm existing to see that play! Come, Daisy!" She turned
to her daughter, who had joined the group at the tea-table. "Pierce,
are you ready? Good-bye, Nance! Come with us to the elevator?"

Nance crossed the room readily, while Estcoit shook hands with Clodagh.

"Good-bye!" he said. "I shall see you to-morrow night--if not sooner."

She pressed his hand warmly. "Make it sooner!" she said. And they both
laughed, after the manner of people who understand and like each other.

The momentary departure of Nance, left Clodagh, Gore, and Deerehurst
the sole occupants of the room. After Estcoit had closed the door there
was a faint pause; and in that pause Clodagh was a prey to conflicting
feelings--passionate hope that Deerehurst might see fit to go,
passionate fear that Gore might leave before they could have a word in
private.

And while her mind swayed between hope and fear, Deerehurst drew
forward a chair, and seated himself beside her.

"I shall be interested to know what you think of this!" he said,
leaning forward and lifting the book from the arm of her chair, where
she had allowed it to lie untouched.

She smiled mechanically, though her senses were strained to observe
Gore's attitude.

"It is very good of you! I am sure--I am sure I shall like it."

For an instant his cold glance rested curiously on her face; the next,
it fell again to the book.

"I shall expect you to like it," he said enigmatically.

"What is the book?" Gore came quietly forward and stood looking down at
them.

Deerehurst raised his eyes with an expression in which amusem