At the foot of these stairs he paused, struck by a new idea.
"Suppose we look into the card-room?" he said. "I believe it will be deserted at this early hour."
Clodagh assented.
"If you like," she said. "It would be rather nice to find a quiet spot." And, leading the way with careless unconcern, she began to mount the stairs.
The door of the card-room was open. The baize-covered tables were arranged for play; but only one small, green-shaded lamp had been lighted; and the window was uncurtained and open to the still summer night.
She paused on the threshold, and Serracauld stepped quickly to her side.
"It might almost have been arranged for us," he said. "Won't you go in?"
She waited for a moment longer; then she walked slowly forward and halted beside one of the tables.
Very quietly her companion closed the door, and, crossing the room softly, paused close behind her.
"Do you know that you dance—gloriously?" he said again. "But I always knew you would. A waltz with you is one of the things I promised myself a long time ago."