"England! My dear child, not England in February? Why, the atmosphere is a combination of fog and sleet; and the people——" She made a gesture of horror. "Everybody who hasn't influenza is either expecting it or shaking it off."
Clodagh laughed a little.
"I have never had influenza. It will be an experience. But I must look after my maid. Travelling is new to her."
She glanced down the corridor to where Simonetta was awaiting her beside a mountain of luggage.
Lady Frances made haste to echo her laugh.
"Well, well!" she said. "It's good to have the enthusiasm of youth. But you will dine with me? Dinner in an hour."
Clodagh hesitated. Yesterday she would have ardently avoided a meeting with Lady Frances Hope. Now that it had been thrust upon her, it seemed to possess no danger. What was it Gore had said on that memorable night? "I am not depreciating Lady Frances Hope or her social standing——" Very swiftly she recalled the words and construed them in the light of her present feelings. After all, she was not the child she had been two years ago. And it was not Lady Frances, but the set that surrounded her, to which Gore took exception.
Her companion, seeing the hesitation in her eyes, gave a quick, bright smile.
"Do come! I will give you news of—every one."
Clodagh coloured slightly.