"A lady of high renown," I mused aloud, while Miss Pat poured the coffee, "a lady of your own name, was once more or less responsible for a little affair that lasted ten years about the walls of a six-gated city." "I wasn't named for _her_! No sugar to-night, please, Aunt Pat!" I stood with her presently by an open window of the parlor, looking out upon the night. Sister Margaret had vanished about her household duties; Miss Pat had taken up a book with the rather obvious intention of leaving us to ourselves. I expected to start at eight for my rendezvous at Red Gate, and my ear was alert to the chiming of the chapel clock. The gardener had begun his evening rounds, and paused in the walk beneath us. "Don't you think," asked Helen, "that the guard is rather ridiculous?" "Yes, but it pleases my medieval instincts to imagine that you need defenders. In the absence of a moat the gardener combines in himself all the apparatus of defense. Ijima is his Asiatic ally." "And you, I suppose, are the grand strategist and field marshal." "At least that!" "After this morning I never expected to ask a favor of you; but if, in my humblest tone--" "Certainly. Anything within reason." "I want you to take me to the casino to-night to the dance. I'm tired of being cooped up here. I want to hear music and see new faces." "Do pardon me for not having thought of it before! They dance over there every Wednesday and Saturday night. I'm sorry that to-night I have an engagement, but won't you allow me on Saturday?" She was resting her arms on the high sill, gazing out upon the lake. I stood near, watching her, and as she sighed deeply my heart ached for her; but in a moment she turned her head swiftly with mischief laughing in her eyes. "You have really refused! You have positively declined! You plead another engagement! This is a place where one's engagements are burdensome." "This one happens to be important." She turned round with her back to the window. "We are eternal foes; we are fighting it out to a finish; and it is better that way. But, Mr. Donovan, I haven't played all my cards yet." "I look upon you as a resourceful person and I shall be prepared for the worst. Shall we say Saturday night for the dance?" "No!" she exclaimed, tossing her head. "And let me have the satisfaction of telling you that I could not have gone with you to-night anyhow. Good-by." I found Ijima ready with the launch at Glenarm pier, and, after a swift flight to the Tippecanoe, knocked at the door of Red Gate. Arthur Holbrook admitted me, and led the way to the room where, as his captive, I had first talked with him. "We have met before," he said, smiling. "I thought you were an enemy at that time. Now I believe I may count you a friend." "Yes; I should like to prove myself your friend, Mr. Holbrook."