The Governor waved his hand impatiently. "'By this time the ship of the Black Seigneur had drawn nearer and our men put about and made for the Mount with a number of prisoners. Several shots were sent after us, but we managed to reach port.'" "The officer in charge of the troops thinks this fellow, their leader, was wounded severely--fatally perhaps?" "He thinks it most probable, your Excellency." For some time the Governor, with frowning brows, sipped silently from a glass of liquor at his elbow, and, stiff, motionless, the commandant waited; close at hand, a dove plumed itself on the roof of the cloister walk; beyond, the girl again began to sing fitfully. Out of the corner of his eye the commandant dared look at her, leaning now against the wall, the clear-cut, white features outlined against an illimitable blue background. "_Les amours--_" Involuntarily he started to raise a hand to his warlike mustache, when abruptly was his wandering attention recalled. "The man ashore I spoke to you about, has been taken into custody?" "Yes, your Excellency; and is now at the barracks." "Send him here. One moment--" The commandant paused, vaguely conscious the girl had moved away from the wall. "You spoke of there being a lack of room--these new prisoners must be confined in the dungeons; if necessary, crowd more of the others in the upper cells, and--there is still the Devil's Cage." "The Devil's Cage?" Through the rose-tinted columns, above the Governor's head, the commandant could discern the figure of the Lady Elise, who had approached and now was gazing inquiringly at them. "Your Excellency would use that? One can neither lie down in it, nor sit in it, upright?" "Well," the cold eyes flashed, "it is not intended for upright people! But the man you were ordered to arrest!" with sudden sharpness; "the man from the shore! Send him to me!" "At once, your Excellency!" And responding promptly to his superior's mood, the commandant saluted briskly, and retired. "What man?" The drapery of her gown drawn back, the Lady Elise stood poised on the court's low coping between the fairy-like pillars. "No one you know, my dear." "Which means--it is none of my concern?" "Not at all." His voice was now perfunctory; and his expression, as he surveyed her, slightly questioning. "You are looking somewhat pale to-day?" "Am I?" carelessly. "I--I feel very well." As she spoke, she went to him and leaned over the back of his chair. "_Mon père_, won't you do something for me?" "What?" "Promise first." With her hand on his shoulder. He reached up; the long, cold fingers stroked the shapely, warm ones. "One should never leap into the dark with a promise," he answered. "Especially to a woman." "Not even when that woman is one's own daughter?" she asked, sliding to the arm of the chair.