"I am considered rather good-looking," she replied, serenely. "Please don't do that again. It was very rude of you, Mr. Smart." "Oh, I've seen something of you before this," I said. "You have long, beautiful brown hair--and a dog." She was silent. "I am sure you will pardon me if I very politely ask who you are?" I went on. "That question takes me back to the favour. Will you be so very, very kind as to cease bothering me, Mr. Smart? It is dreadfully upsetting, don't you feeling that at any moment you may rush in and--" "I like that. In my own castle, too!" "There is ample room for both of us," she said sharply. "I shan't be here for more than a month or six weeks, and I am sure we can get along very amiably under the same roof for that length of time if you'll only forget that I am here." "I can't very well do that, madam. You see, we are making extensive repairs about the place and you are proving to be a serious obstacle. I cannot grant your request. It will grieve me enormously if I am compelled to smoke you out but I fear--" "Smoke me out!" "Perhaps with sulphur," I went on resolutely. "It is said to be very effective." "Surely you will not do anything so horrid." "Only as a last resort. First, we shall storm the east wing. Failing in that we shall rely on smoke. You will admit that you have no right to poach on my preserves." "None whatever," she said, rather plaintively. I can't remember having heard a sweeter voice than hers. Of course, by this time, I was thoroughly convinced that she was a lady,--a cultured, high-bred lady,--and an American. I was too densely enveloped by the fogginess of my own senses at this time, however, to take in this extraordinary feature of the case. Later on, in the seclusion of my study, the full force of it struck me and I marvelled. That plaintive note in her voice served its purpose. My firmness seemed to dissolve, even as I sought to reinforce it by an injection of harshness into my own manner of speech. "Then you should be willing to vacate my premises er--or--" here is where I began to show irresoluteness--"or explain yourself." "Won't you be generous?" I cleared my throat nervously. How well they know the cracks in a man's armour! "I am willing to be--amenable to reason. That's all you ought to expect." A fresh idea took root. "Can't we effect a compromise? A truce, or something of the sort? All I ask is that you explain your presence here. I will promise to be as generous as possible under the circumstances." "Will you give me three days in which to think it over?" she asked, after a long pause. "No." "Well, two days?" "I'll give you until to-morrow afternoon at five, when I shall expect you to receive me in person." "That is quite impossible." "But I demand the right to go wherever I please in my own castle. You--" "If you knew just how circumspect I am obliged to be at present you wouldn't impose such terms, Mr. Smart."