Her quick glance passed over Clodagh's face. Then she rose and moved to the table, as two waiters entered, and dinner was announced.
Clodagh coloured, and crossed the room in her hostess's wake.
"Yes," she said, taking her seat at the table—"yes; I once dined there. It was a wonderfully fascinating place. Has it been a failure?"
Lady Frances shrugged her shoulders.
"Vanished! But tell me about yourself!" She turned to her guest with a change of manner. "You are not seriously contemplating England at this time of year?"
Clodagh smiled calmly.
"Quite seriously."
"But, my dear child, why, if one may be inquisitive?"
"Because I want to know England—to know the English."
Lady Frances's eyes narrowed very slightly; then she gave one of her bright laughs.