At first, each party played with a seeming attention, which certainly imposed on Herbert, who sat eagerly watching the progress of the game. Frederick Travers was, however, far more occupied in observing his antagonist than in the disposition of his rooks and pawns. While she, soon perceiving his inattention, half suspected that he did not deem her an enemy worth exerting his skill upon, and thus, partly in pique, she bestowed more watchfulness than at first. “So, Mademoiselle,” cried Travers at length, recurring to his game, “I perceive you have only permitted me to advance thus far, to cut off my retreat for ever. How am I to save myself now?” “It's hard to say, Sir Captain. It's the old tactique of Celts and Saxons on both sides; you would advance into the heart of the enemy's country, and as, unhappily, the men in ivory are truer than the natives were here, and won't take bribes to fight against their fellows, you must e'en stand or fall by your own deservings.” “Come, then, the bold policy for ever. Check.” “And you lose your castle.” “And you your bishop!” “We must avenge the church, sir. Take care of your queen.” “'Parbleu,' Mademoiselle, you are a fierce foe. What say you, if we draw the battle?” “No, no, cousin Kate; continue, and you win it.” “Be it so. And now for my turn,” said Travers, who was really a first-rate player, and at length began to feel interested in the result. The move he made exhibited so much of skill, that Kate foresaw that the fortune of the day was about to change. She leaned her brow upon her hand, and deliberated long on the move; and at length, lifting her head, she said-- “I should like much to beat you--but in fair fight, remember--no courtesy nor favour.” “I can spare neither,” said Travers, smiling. “Then, defeat is no dishonour. There's my move.” “And mine,” cried Fred, as rapidly. “What prevents my taking you? I see nothing.” “Nor I either,” said he, half chagrined, for his move was an oversight. “You are too proud to ask quarter--of course, you are--or I should say, take it back.” “No, Kate, no,” whispered Herbert, whose excitement was at the highest. “I must abide my fortune,” said Frederick, bowing; “and the more calmly, as I have won the game.” “Won the game! How?--where?” “Check!” “How tauntingly he says it now,” said Kate, while her eyes sparkled brilliantly. “There is too much of the conqueror in all that.” Frederick's glance met hers at the instant, and her cheek coloured deeply. Who knows the source of such emotions, or of how much pleasure and pain they are made up! “And yet, I have not won,” said he, in a low voice. “Then, be it a drawn battle,” said Kate. “You can afford to be generous, and I can't bear being beaten--that's the truth of it.” “If I could but win!” muttered Travers, as he rose from the table; and whether she overheard the words, and that they conveyed more than a mere allusion to the game, she turned hastily away, and approached the window.