Nance, whose eyes had been flashing from one face to the other, gave a little start at being so suddenly addressed.
"Yes—yes; it is. I came out in America."
"Then you can tell us in the morning which men make the nicest partners, English or American."
Nance laughed. And Clodagh, with the new, protective instinct, put out her hand and drew her close to her.
"Nance has made her choice," she said impulsively. "The field is not open to Englishmen, But let us go downstairs! We are barely in time."
At the foot of the stairs, the three turned to the left and made their way to the ballroom through the throng of arriving guests.
Entering the long room, they moved slowly forward to where Lady Diana and her husband were receiving their guests.
Reaching Lady Diana's side, Clodagh felt her heart beat quicker, as she caught side of Gore's fair head and tall, straight figure. And a strange sense of repeated sensation surged about her. It might almost have been the night at the Palazzo Ugochini, when Lady Frances Hope had held her reception. Her hand felt a little unsteady as she laid it over Nance's; her voice sounded low and uncertain as she spoke her hostess's name.
"Lady Diana!" she said, "here is Nance! You told me to bring her to you before the first dance."
At her tone, so very soft and pleading, Lady Diana turned; and a smile—the first real smile she had given her since the episode of two nights ago—broke over her face.