Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-16
XII.


The little incident, trivial in itself. damped
the general ardor for roulette. After a
dozen turns of the wheel, Lady Frances
declared herself satisfied.
Mrs. Milbanke has regenerated us-for
the moment!' she cried II can't play rou-
lette tonight. But our turn will come. Mrs.
Mlbanke. We will be revenged on YOU"
Her shrewd. smiling glance passed rapidly
over Clodagh's face.
Again the whole company laughed.
Mrs Milbanke is feminine Sir Gala
had" said Lizard. "By-the-way. Lady
Frances. when is our irreproachable knight
to honor Venice with his presenter"
He turned and looked banteringly at his
hostess.
Lady Frances smiled.
"Oh, any day now" she returned. But
amt you rather incorrigible?
80 Sir Galahad thinks he retorted, un-
| abashed. us he an acquaintance of yours,
Mrs. Milbanke?"
Clodagh smiled uncertainty, and Lady
Frances laughed.
How ridiculous of you to expect MRS
Miltanke to read your riddles!' she said,
sharply. 1.-THE person this very disrespect-
full young man is speaking of, Mrs. Mil
banke is Sir Walter Gore"
"The most admirable Sir Walter Gorer'
interjected Lizard.
Lady Frances sallow face flushed very
slightly.
"Sir Walter Core she went on, ignoring
the interruption, who Is only twenty-nine-
has been ten times round the world-and is
imbued with the deepest contempt for all
modern social things"
She laughed again as she finished; but a
| fleeing change of expression had passed
| over her strong face.
Clodagh looked UP smiingly.
And where is the likeness to me?" she
asked.
"Oh, you are both above mere human
| temptations, Mrs. Milbanke," Lizard broke
| in, irrepressibly.
Lord Deerehurst who had been listening
| to the conversation, lifted his eyeglass.
But then Sir Walter Gore has been ten
times round the world" he remarked. in
| his thin, dry voice. And this Is Mrs. Mil
banke's first visit to Venice
Again they all laughed, and Clodagh COL
ored.
You think my stoicism would not wear
well?' she asked.
Deerehurst looked at her searchingly.
''Stoicism may be born Of many charac-
teristics, he said. Il am not in position
to say from what yours springs. But'-he
| lowered his voice-'I do not think you are
a natural stole"
She laughed and glanced uneasily round
the little company, already beginning to
break up into groups Of two and three.
Observing the look, Lady Frances turned
to her tactfuly.
Come Lord Deerehurstv she cried. 1--WE
are getting too serious. If you must phil
OSOpnfZe take Mrs. MllDanke on to the bal
cony. where she will have something to dis
tract her thoughts. For myself, 1 want to
hear Valentine sing. Val!' she called.
Come to the piano and make some music.
L m surfeited with Stringed instruments and
Italian voices"
She moved across the salon, and Lord
Deerehurst turned to Clodagh.
May 1 follow our hostess suggestion?
May / talk philosophy on the balcony?"
She smiled. The slight strain, of which
she had been conscious ever since the Incl
dent of the roulette, lifted suddenly and
her earlier sensation of elated excitement
returned.
Eyes, If you like" she responded. brightly.
THE balcony sounds very tempting. And
as for your philosophy, 1 can promise to
listen-if / can't promise to understand"
She smiled afresh, and crossed the wide
room, Deerehurst following closely.
AS she passed the group of statuary and
stepped through the open window, Sierra
cauld struck chord or two on the piano.
and an instant later his voice-a full, strong
voice, intensely passionate and youthful
drifted across the salon and out into the
night
At the first note Clodagh halted, surprised
and enchanted by the sound. and. sinking
silently into one of the balcony chairs
rested one arm on the iron railing.
The music Serracauld sang was French
and possessed much of the distinction that