"Really!" he said. "How interesting! I shall look forward to the meeting in the flesh."
Again he laughed, as at something intensely amusing. And as Clodagh turned towards him doubtfully, she saw him shoot a swift, satirical glance at his uncle.
"Why?" she asked quickly—"why should our meeting be interesting?"
Once more a vague sense of antagonism assailed her—a vague distrust of this new atmosphere.
Serracauld answered at once in his light, ingratiating tone.
"For no reason, Mrs. Milbanke, that you can possibly cavil at!"
"But for what reason?" Her glance rested inquiringly on his face. "Do tell me. I hate things that I cannot understand."
Deerehurst smiled a little cynically.
"A very youthful sentiment!" he murmured. "The older one grows, the more one seeks the incomprehensible."
His eyes rested upon her with a fixed regard.