"After all, Mrs. Milbanke," he said, "do you think that need preclude you from the enjoyment? James is perfectly happy; Lord Deerehurst's gondola is quite the most comfortable in Venice; and I'm sure I'm staid enough to play propriety! Suppose we make a party of four?"
Serracauld laughed delightedly.
"How splendid!" he said. "Mrs. Milbanke, may I find my uncle and bring him to be introduced?"
He bent forward quickly, leaning across Milbanke's empty chair.
For one second Clodagh sat irresolute; then she glanced swiftly from one interested, admiring face to the other, and again the blood rushed into her face in a wave of self-conscious pleasure.
"Yes," she said softly—"yes. Bring your uncle to be introduced."
CHAPTER IV
Serracauld smiled his acknowledgment of the granted permission, and departed in search of his uncle; while Barnard looked at Clodagh with amused interest.
"If you can waive your prejudices against the milk baths, Mrs. Milbanke," he said, "you'll find old Deerehurst quite a delightful person. But, of course, when one is very young, prejudices are adhesive things."
He finished his coffee meditatively, stealing a glance at her from the corner of his eye.