He started, roused to a fresh sense of guilt.
"You—you mustn't think——" he began stammeringly.
But Clodagh laughed.
"Oh, don't bother about it!" she said easily. "I wasn't really thinking."
For a while he remained silent, watching the noisy dogs as they ineffectually chased the seagulls that wheeled above the unruffled waves; then, at last, urged by his awakened conscience, he half paused and looked again at the girl's bright face.
"Miss Clodagh," he began, "I feel very guilty—I am very guilty."
Clodagh glanced back at him.
"How?" she said simply.
"Because last night I unconsciously did what you disapprove of. I played with your father for high stakes, and I am ashamed to say that I won a large sum of money."
For an instant the brightness left her glance; she looked at him with the serious eyes of the night before.