Nance smiled shyly.
"I know," she said, looking from Clodagh to her hostess.
Lady Diana returned the smile.
"It's sweet of your sister to spare you to me."
While she was speaking, Serracauld turned to Clodagh.
"Will you give me the morning?" he said in an undertone.
She drew back and laughed a little.
"What a conceited suggestion! Fancy throwing my little sister over, to spend the morning with you!"
He looked at her unabashed. And, as Tuffnell turned to address his neighbour, he bent close to her again.
"You're very hard on me! When will you be really, properly kind?"