Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-21
XVII.

dress for dinner.
She changed her dress with almost
feverish haste, giving herself no time for
thought, and then, scarcely waiting to take
a final look into the mirror, left the room
and hurried down into the hall. There rhe
encountered Barnard.
II have just been speaking to your hus-
band" he said greeting her with a smile.
HE has been lured into attending some
secret conclave Of italian scientists. He
asked me to make his excuses to you
Clodagh's glance fell.
"Oh!' she said, with q curious little In
Election of the voice.
"of course he knew that you were going
out tonight?'
'Oh, yes. OF course" She still Kept her
lashes lowered.
Barnard smiled.
Mrs Milbanke." he exclaimed. In a
cheerful voice, suppose you make an even
to dine with him and Serracauld at the
'Abbati Let's form an even party? The
old man will be absolutely charmed; ana
you have never dined at restaurant. Say
1 may arrange it?"
For a moment longer Clodagh studied the
ground; then very quickly she raised her
eyes, and in their depths Barnard read a
new expression.
shouldn't we take what comes our way?"
He extended his hand.
why, indeed? Let me spread the good
news?"
Again Clodagh let her lashes droop
Every well' she said. VERY well. Say
that 1 want to enjoy myself
The dlgnified and placid serenity OF
Venice had been intruded upon that season
by the establishment of fashionable din
ing place, which, under the name OF the
Abbati Restaurant, had taken UP its posi-
ton in beautiful old house on one of the
narrower waterways.
lfo%o lnda cI' @ nfn1 xrno
short; and the journey thither-taken in
Lord Deerehursts gondola, In company
with the old peer. Serracauld and Barnard
occupied but few minutes. Clodagh's first
impression, on gliding up they STILL dark
waterway and stepping out upon the time
worn garden steps. was one of delight. And
as she stood for a moment In the shadow
of the ancient wall, above which the tree
tops rose casting black reflections into the
water that ran beneath them, she was con-
scious of the subtle touch Of the warm
night wind upon her face, of the subtle
poetry in the scent of unseen flowers OF
the subtle invitation conveyed by the long
row of lighter windows seen through
screen OF magnolia trees.
She had momentarily forgotten her COM
panions, when Deerehurst-the last to leave
the gondola-stepped softly to her side.
This appeals to your he said.
She started slightly at his unexpected
nearness; then. with quick impetuosity,
she responded to his question.
l
light through the trees suggests such won
derful mysterious things"
He smiled under cover Of the darkness:
ut suggests an enchanted banquet. Let
us find the presiding genius"
He laid his fingers lightly on her arm and
guided her up the long, dim garden.
Followed by Serracaud and Barnard, they
traversed the shadowy pathways and
emerged upon an open space Of lawn that
fronted the house.
Three four Of the private rooms were
already occupied and with the faint streams
Of light that poured from their open win
dows came the pleasant murmuring of talk
and laughter.
AS the little party stepped into the radius
Of this light, stately parsonage in somber
dress came forward deferentially. and, rec
ognizing Deerehurst, made a profound bow.
The old nObleman nodded amiably, as to
an acquaintance of long standing, and.
drawing the man aside. addressed him in
French. ----,..
The explanation was brief. and almost at
once Deerehurst turned back to his COM
panions
Come. Mrs Milbanke,'' he said in Eng
lsh "Our friend Abbati proves amenable
to persuasion. He will give us his prettiest
room-though we are unexpected guests
Clodagh stepped forward with eager Gu
riosity.
IT never thought a restaurant could be
like this" she said.
VERY few of them are, Mrs. Milbanke,"
murmured Barnard, close behind her. 1.-The
usual restaurant is an ostentatious place OF
white enamel, palms, and lights. where
hundred tongues are vainly endeavoring to
drown a band. This little corner will
scarcely outlive another season. It's too
perfect-too quiet to find favor with the
crowd. 1t was opened under the patronage
rather, at the suggeston-of Prince Me-
nof. Sybarite millionaire temporarily out
Of sorts with Paris. But now Paris smiles
once more; Menof has wearied of Venice;
and poor Abbati begins to tremble.'
Clodagh looked round.
But could anything~so exquisite be a
failure?"
their expensive dinners where others can
comment their extravaganza. It's a
very vulgar world.
The three men laughed and Clodagh.
slightly distressed slightly puzzled, stepped
through the wide hall to the room that
Deerehurst indicated.
It was a small chamber long and narrow
in shape The walls were paneled in faded
brocade, and the lights were shrouded in
silk of some soft hue; the floor was COW
cred with a carpet in which wreathed roses
formed the chief design: and the furniture
consisted of one oval table, four beautiful
old chairs and couple of ancient French
mirrors. AS Deerehurst stepped forward to
relieve Clodagh of her cloak four walters
entered noiselessly, and almost Immediate
ly dinner was served.
It was dinner such as Prince Menof
would have delighted in. There was moth
ing tedious. nothing monotonous in the six
or seven courses that comprised Its menu;
each stimpulated and gratified the appatite
without hint of safety. 1t was an cpl
curean feast. And it was interesting to
study the varying ways in which the guests
responded to its appeal.
Barnard-placid man of the world. indui-
gent connoisseur OF all the luxuries-open-
ly fingered over the delights Of the meal,
Serracauld ate quickly and almost greedily,
as many men Of slight build and thin,
sensual faces do eat; Deerehurst alone
toyed with his food, giving serious attention
to nothing beyond the dry toast with which
he was kept supplied: while Clodagh-young
enough and healthy enough to have an ap-
petite that needed no tempting-frankly
enjoyed her dinner without at all compre-
thending its excellence
During the first portion OF the meal con-
versatfon was f1tful and inlpersonal: but as
the walters left the table to carry In one Of
the later dishes the tone of the intercourse
underwent change. Deerehurst turned to
Clodagh with a sudden gesture of concern
and intimacy.
II see you do not indorse my choice Of
wdnePs,a he said, in a gently solicitous voice.
She looked up with slight confusion then
looked down at her untouched glass. in
which the champagne bubbles were rapidly
subsidtng
IL never drink champagne" she said,
little diff1dently.
|. "Oh, Mrs Milbanke! And my poor uncle
has been sacking the AAbbati cellars for this
particular vintage!' Serracauld glanced