Clodagh's glance fell.
"Oh!" she said with a curious little inflection of the voice.
"Of course he knew that you were going out to-night?"
"Oh yes! Of course!" She still kept her lashes lowered.
Barnard smiled.
"Mrs. Milbanke," he exclaimed in a cheerful voice, "suppose we have a gay evening! Lord Deerehurst has asked me to dine with him and Serracauld at the 'Abbati.' Let's form an even party! The old man will be absolutely charmed; and you have never dined at a restaurant. Say I may arrange it!"
For a moment longer Clodagh studied the ground; then very quickly she raised her eyes, and in their depths Barnard read a new expression.
"After all," she said tentatively, "why shouldn't we take what comes our way?"
He extended his hands.
"Why, indeed? Let me spread the good news?"