Crossing the threshold softly, Nance tip-toed into the room.
"Clo," she whispered, "'how are you? Better?" Then she paused in pleased surprise.
"What? You've been out? Then you are better. How glad Walter will be! He insisted on coming back to know how you were."
At Gore's name, Clodagh started and looked round.
"Walter here?" she said.
"Yes; but, Clo! what's the matter? You've been crying."
Clodagh stepped to her side and laid her hand imperatively on her arm.
"Hush!" she whispered. "Go back at once and tell Walter that I'm—that I'm asleep. Tell him that Simonetta said I was better and fell asleep. Tell him anything you can think of that will make him happy and get him away. He must be got away. I can't see him. Do you understand, Nance? He must be got away."
For one surprised moment Nance looked at her sister; then conquering her curiosity, she turned quietly and moved to the door.
"All right, darling!" she said reassuringly; "I'll send him away happy."