"You've been playing every night since I left you," she said with decision.
Clodagh laughed with some constraint.
"And losing?"
Clodagh flushed.
"I have no luck," she said shortly. Then, almost at once, she turned away, freeing herself from her companion's detaining hands.
"Lady Frances," she said in a different tone, "please don't think I forget about—about——" she hesitated. "I get my first allowance at the beginning of July, you know——"
She paused; and Lady Frances gave a seemingly careless laugh. "My good child, don't speak of it! Any time!—any time!"
"You are very kind. I had hoped to settle up on my return, but the last week was shocking. But everything will be right at the beginning of July. She walked over to the dressing-table and looked at herself in the long glass.
"What a sweet house you have!" she said suddenly in an entirely different voice.
Lady Frances had been watching her with a close scrutiny; but now, with a good deal of ready dissimulation, she threw off her attentive manner and answered in Clodagh's own light tone.