"I——? Oh, I—I don't know."
"But why? He likes you."
Clodagh gave a quick, unsteady laugh, and sank back into her chair.
"Dear little Nance! What a baby you are! If there is one person in the world who does not like me, it is Sir Walter Gore!"
With a sudden movement of interest Nance sat up, and looked at her sister.
"But he does, Clo," she said. "I saw him looking at you over and over again, when you were talking to other people. He likes you. Oh, he does like you! And he doesn't care one bit for Lady Frances Hope, though she follows him everywhere he goes——"
But Clodagh sat suddenly upright, and with an abrupt gesture put her hand on her sister's shoulder.
"Nance," she said sharply, "you are talking about things that you don't understand. Don't talk about them! It—it annoys me!"
"But, Clo——"
For answer Clodagh stooped and kissed her almost nervously.