That night Clodagh fell asleep with her wet cheek pressed against her
sister's, and her arms clasped closely round her.

Next morning she woke calmed and soothed by her outburst of the night
before; and after breakfast she was able to enter into the primary
discussion concerning her marriage without any show of emotion. The
conclave, at which she, her aunt, and Milbanke alone were present, took
place in the drawing-room and was of a weighty and solemn character.
The first suggestion was put forward by Mrs. Asshlin, who, with the
native distaste for all hurried and definite action, pleaded that an
engagement of six months at least would be demanded by the
conventionalities before a marriage could take place; but here, to the
surprise of his listeners, Milbanke displayed a fresh gleam of the
determination and firmness that had inspired him during the days of
sickness and death. With a reasonableness that could not be gainsaid,
he refuted and disposed of Mrs. Asshlin's arguments; and, with a daring
born of his new position, made the startling proposal that the wedding
ceremony should be performed within the shortest possible time; and
that, to obviate all difficulties, Clodagh and he should leave Ireland
immediately, journeying to Italy to take up their residence in the
villa that he had already rented at Florence for his own use.

Immediately the suggestion was made, Mrs. Asshlin broke forth in
irresistible objection.

"Oh, but what would people say?" she cried. "Think of what people would
say, with the funeral scarcely over."

Milbanke looked at her gravely. His matter-of-fact mind was as far as
ever from comprehending the ramifications of the Irish character.

"But, my dear Mrs. Asshlin," he urged, "do you think we need really
consider whether people talk or not? Surely we who knew and loved poor
Denis----"

"Oh, it isn't that! No one knows better than I do what a friend you
have been----"

Milbanke stirred uncomfortably.

"Please do not speak of it. I--I did no more than any Christian would
have done. What I mean to suggest----"

But again she interrupted.

"Yes, yes; I know. But we must consider the county--we must consider
the county."

But here Clodagh, who was standing by the window, turned swiftly round.

"Why must we?" she asked. "The county never remembered father till he
was dead. If I'm going to be married, it's all the same to me whether
it's in three weeks or three months or three years."