Close to the tapestry a fire had been laid in the broad fireplace, and the duchess had ordered the luncheon table for Dan and herself spread with the cold things England knows how to combine into a delectable feast. The room was full of mediæval furnishings, but the Green Knight was the best of all. The Duchess of Breakwater took him for granted. She had known him all her life, and she had only been struck by his expensive beauty when the offer came to her from the National Museum to buy him, and she wondered how long she could afford to stick to her price. When Dan came in he found her in a short tweed skirt, a mannish blouse, looking boyish and wholly charming, and she mixed him a cocktail under the Green Knight’s very nose and offered it with the wisdom of the serpent itself, and the duchess didn’t in the least suggest the white-robed, milk-white lady. The friends drank their cocktails in good spirits, and Dan presented the lady with the flowers he had brought her, and he felt a strong sentiment stir at the sight of her in this old room, alone and waiting for him. The servants left them, the duchess put her hands on the boy’s broad shoulders. Nearly as tall as he, she was a good example of the best-looking English woman, straight and strong, and her eyes were level, and Dan met them with his own. “I am so glad you came,” she murmured. “I’ve been ragging myself every minute since you went away from Osdene.” “You have? What for?” “Because I was such a perfect prig. I’ll do anything you like for Miss Lane. I mean to say, I’ll arrange for a musicale and ask her to sing.” The color rushed into Dan’s face. How bully of her! What a brick this showed her to be! He said: “You are as sweet as a peach!” The duchess’ hands were still on his shoulders. She could feel his rapid breath. “I don’t make you think of a box of candy now?” she murmured, and the boy covered her hand with his own. “I don’t know what you make me think of—it is bully, whatever it is!” If the Spanish tapestry could only have reversed its idea, and if the immaculate lady, or even one of the rabbits, could have drawn a sword to protect the Green Knight, it would have been passing well. But the woven work, when it first had been embroidered, was done for ever; it was irrevocable in its mistaken idea, that it is only the _woman_ who needs protection! CHAPTER XIII—THE FACE OF LETTY LANE As Dan went through the halls of the Carlton on his way to his rooms that same evening, the porter gave him two notes, which Dan went down into the smoking-room to read. He tore open the note bearing the Hotel Savoy on the envelope, and read: “Dear Boy: Will you come around to-night and see me about five o’clock? Don’t let anything keep you.” (Letty Lane had the habit of scratching out phrases to insert others, and there was something scratched out.) “I want to talk to you about something very important. Come sure. L. L.”