Part 59 (1/2)

”Good-night, dear child!” Lady Frances pressed her hand, and walked with her slowly across the room. As she pa.s.sed out into the corridor, she waved a gay farewell. ”Sleep well!” she called. ”But dream of an English February--and wake with a changed mind!”

As she said the last words, Clodagh paused for a moment; then went on again without speaking, and entered her own room.

Tired though she was, she scarcely slept that night; and in the early hours of the morning she saw the bright dawn break over Paris. At eight o'clock she rang for Simonetta, and asked for ink, pen, and note-paper.

Sitting up in bed, she wrote the following note.

”DEAR LADY FRANCES,

”As we are both women, I can hope that you won't call me variable.

If you still want me as a companion, I think I will, after all, go with you to Nice. Looking into the matter more closely, I find I really have no affinity for sleet or influenza!

”Yours,

”CLODAGH MILBANKE.”

Having despatched the note to Lady Frances Hope, she wrote two long, feverishly hasty letters--one to Laurence a.s.shlin at Orristown, the other to Nance at her school near London.

CHAPTER III

It was in the middle of February that Clodagh arrived in Paris on her journey home; and it was the end of April before that ardently planned return to England at last took place.

On a fresh, showery April afternoon when all London looked renewed and beautified by soft air and fitful brilliant suns.h.i.+ne, she alighted from the train at Charing Cross.

Her arrival in the lofty, unfamiliar station was very different from her arrival at the bustling, exciting Parisian terminus two months earlier. Then, she had descended from her train with the rapidity of one who sees in the least promising object the hope--if not the certainty--of interest; now, she left her carriage with the quiet indifference to outward circ.u.mstance that acquaintance with society teaches. Unconsciously she had learned to move as the women of the world move--the women who know themselves possessed of a certain value, and are faintly flattered, faintly amused, perhaps faintly wearied by the knowledge.

As she walked down the platform a momentary glimmering of disappointment crossed her face; and she turned to Simonetta who had come hurrying towards her.

”I thought Lady Frances would have met us,” she said. ”But I suppose she is waiting at the flat.”

Simonetta looked up solicitously at her mistress. ”And the signora?”

she hazarded. ”She is not tired?”

Clodagh smiled a little absently.

”Oh no, Simonetta! You must not trouble about me. I have come home, you know!” She gave a little laugh. ”But we must not delay,” she added.

”Have you the keys of all the boxes?”

”Yes, signora.”

”Then you can see to the examining of the luggage. When it is done, this porter will put you into a cab. I have given him the address.”

”Yes, signora.”

”Then I shall see you at the flat?”

”Yes, signora.”