He regarded the bright face now thoughtful; the lips, usually laughing, set sensitively. "Is it another trip to the court, or do you wish to turn this stern old Mount again into a palace of pleasure? To invite once more the Paris lords and ladies--the King, himself, perhaps? It would not be the first time a monarch has been entertained at the Mount--or a Marquis, either, eh? Shall we ask the Marquis?" She made an impatient movement. "I want you to promise to break up the terrible iron cage, and--" "Tut!" Jocosely he pinched the fair cheek. "A girl's thoughts should be of the court and the cavaliers." She turned away her head. "You treat me like a child," she said with a flash in her eyes. "No, no! Like a woman," he laughed. "But the Marquis--perhaps he could not come here; perhaps he is too much concerned with the gaieties of Paris!" Her figure straightened; she was about to walk away, when-- "You ride this afternoon?" he asked. "I had not thought of it." "If you do I desire that some one accompany you." Her face changed; she looked at him quickly, and half turned. "Remember Saladin as well, and--keep closer to the Mount in the future." "Poor Saladin!" she breathed, with averted glance. "He got his deserts!" answered the Governor harshly. "An ugly trick that of his--to bolt and leave you stranded at the extreme point of the mainland where the bay swings around!" "The 'grand' tide--it came in so fast--and made so much noise--" "It frightened him! Well, fortunate it was, indeed, you were not on his back; that you had already reached the point, and had had time to dismount! An unpleasant experience, nevertheless--with the water separating you from the Mount, and a great curve of land to be walked before you could arrive at a human habitation!" "I--it wasn't a very comfortable feeling," she acknowledged, flushing. "And if the fisherman hadn't subsequently seen you and taken you across in his little boat, you would have been more uncomfortable later. You rewarded him well, I trust?" "He--wouldn't take anything." "And you neglected to inquire his name?" "I--did not think." "You were so glad to get back?" remarked the Governor, regarding her closely. "What sort of man was he?" abruptly. "Old." "And--" "That--is all I remember." "Hum! Not very lucid. No doubt you were too overwrought, my dear, to be in an observant mood." His voice sank absently; his fingers sought among the papers, and, as his glance fell, the girl walked away. Again she leaned on the parapet, and once more regarded the barren waste below--the figures of the cockle-seekers, mere specks, the shadow of the Mount, stamped on the sand, with the saint, a shapeless form, holding up a tapering black line--a sword--at the apex.