The Chronicles of Clovis

d ran almost into the arms of Merla Blathlington. The afternoon seemed to get instantly hotter. Merla was one of those human

er world; others, however, held the opinion that she would be miraculously multiplied in a future state, and that four

popping in and out of shops like rabbits; not that

ly one of her

know those ikons and images and things scattered up and down Europe, that are supposed to have been painted or carved, as the case may be, by St. Luke or Zacche

sex, though,"

en. I can never remember whether I've been to the Tyrol twice and St. Moritz once, or the other way about; I always have to as

k," objected Francesca; "the word w

n to a definite statement about anything you're told that some vitally important word has fifteen other meanings in the original. I wonder our Cabinet Ministers and politicians don't ad

" said Francesca, preparing to t

somewhere. I know of a cosy little p

shudder and pleaded

t finds itself thwarted by the cold unreasoning resistance of a windowpane. "You're

play bridge anywhere in the near neighbourhood of Merla's voic

some need. Comus of late had been provokingly reticent as to his movements and doings; partly, perhaps, because it was his nature to be provoking, partly because the daily bickerings over money matters were gradually choking other forms of conversation. Francesca had seen him once or twice in the Park in the desirable company of Elaine de Frey, and from time to time she heard of the young people as having danced together at various houses; on the other hand, she had seen and heard quite as much evidence to connect the heiress's name with that of Courtenay Youghal. Beyond this meagre and conflicting a

s." "Most of the really great lessons I have learned have been taught me by the Poor," was one of her favourite statements. The one great lesson that the Poor in general would have liked to have taught her, that their kitchens and sickrooms were not unreservedly at her disposal as private lecture halls, she had never been able to assimilate. She was ready to give them unlimited advice as to how they should keep the wolf from their doors, but in return she claimed and enforced for herself the penetr

ge player, but she always managed to domineer mercilessly over any table that was favoured with her presence, and generally managed to win. A domineering player

, as she cut her hostess for a partner; "I suppose

essment of the stake, knowing her fondness for hig

rdly relieved and rejoicing at the reasonable figure proposed by Lady Caroline, and she would certainly have demurred if a higher st

d Lady Caroline, with the pleased chuckle of one who has spread a n

t to feel a certain absorption in the game once it had started, but she was conscious to-day of a distracting interest that competed with the momentary importance of leads and discar

remark on Francesca's part; "and two or three non-players, which is unusual on a Wedn

old the human race once o

rong message," said Ada Spelvexit,

ks the vices of his age and lunches wit

've been to hear him many times when I've been depressed or discou

you intend to make trumps," b

Ada, after a rather flu

entleness, and a few minutes later she was penc

o the unfinished theme of the Canon; "such an exquisite rural retreat, and so re

he apple trees,"

f the Canon's homelife, and fell back on the small but practical consol

her partner in a tone of coldly, gentle reproof; "it's no use, my dear," she continued, as Serena flustered out a halting apolo

n one thing at a time," said Serena, rashly;

and have one really good o

al trick or two as usual," said a player

big evening," said Serena, hurriedly, by way, perha

hat have you made trumps?" ask

"and pray, why these adje

legiance, and was inclined to take up the cudgels at the

sually of the sort that a sporting cat derives from watching the

illiant success at the Foreign O

ut quite content to go on putting his foot down or taking it up as may be required, quite unconcerned

such things?" pro

rely with his point of view, of course, but some of the things he says have just enough truth behind them to redeem them from being merely smart; for instan

ay some of our Party at some time have taken up that attitude, but

one would be rash enough to insure a politician against he

n leaders would have acted any differen

ders," said Lady Caroline, in her gentlest voice; "one n

y be at the head of affai

day lead the Oppositi

red that her hostess was on th

our tricks in clubs; the game stoo

Maid of Athens and returned my heart we should have made two

e cards to deal. Since the young politician's name had been introduced into their conversation th

when he's speaking, and that's a good sign. And then he's young and got rathe

ne to die and leave him a fat legacy," said Francesca; "since M.P.'s have become the recipient

the opposite pole to the Kingdom of Heaven as regar

irl with money," said Serena; "with his prospects he would ma

hat a previous matrimonial arrangement precluded her

watching Lady Caroline narrowly for some hint of suppr

arrying and giv

trayed over from a neighbouring table, attracted by

in acquiring and retailing any stray items of gossip or information, particularly of a matrimonial nature, that chanced to come his way. Given the bare outline of an officially announced engagement he would immediately fill it in with all manner of details, true or, at any rate, probable, drawn from his own imagination or from some equally exclusive source. The Morning Post might content itself with the mere statement of the arrangement which would shortly take place, but it was St. Michael's breathless little voice that proclaimed how the contracting parties had originally met ove

or Courtenay Youghal," said Serena,

're a little late," he repeated, watching the effect of his words as a gardener might watch the development of a bed of care

ry to his statement, but because there were other table groups within hearing t

ean-?" be

to make his mark in politics. Twenty-four thousand a year, with prospects of more to come, and a charming place of her own not too far from town. Quite the type of girl, too, wh

ns to make trumps," interrupted Lady Caroline, in a voice of such sin

g your pardon. I le

s time the cards went distinctly against Francesca and Ada Spelvexit, and a heavily piled-up score confronted them at the close of the rubber. Francesca was conscious that a certain amount of ra

al gold pieces and infused a correspondi

"I'm dining early. I have to give an

sconcerting directness that was one o

to them that I daresay they will like

silence that betokened profound

eal among working-cl

Caroline, "but how painfully true it is

top of her ill-fortune at the card-table. Possibly, however, the multiplication of her own annoyances enabled her to surv

aid lest she should be listening to a definite announcement which would have been the death-blow to her hopes, but as the recitation went on without any of those assured little minor details which St. Michael so loved to supply, she had come to the conclusion that it was merely a piece of intelligent guesswork. And if Lady Caroline had really believed in the story of Elaine de Frey's virtual engagement to Courtenay Youghal she would have take

sitting at bridge. This afternoon she had come out of the fray some fifteen shillings to the bad, but she gave two