That night there was, as usual, a dance in the old banqueting hall, the high-roofed chamber that had long ago echoed to the boisterous merrymaking of those armoured knights whose coats of mail now stood round, and whose tattered banners hung above. Until half a century back, the old stone flooring, worn hollow by the tramp of generations of retainers, still existed, but Dudley's grandfather had had an oak flooring placed over it, and it now served as the ballroom, even though at one end was the enormous hearth, where an ox could be roasted whole, while the wooden benches, at which the banqueters used to hold revel, served as seats for those who did not dance. Few of the guests, however, refrained from the waltzing, so delightful were the attendant circumstances. Once during the evening Dudley found himself taking a turn with Claudia. "I've wanted to speak to you for nearly an hour past," she whispered to him, so low that none could overhear. "Some man, apparently an undesirable person, has called to see you." "To see me--at this hour? Why, it's past midnight!" he exclaimed in astonishment. "He will not give any details regarding his business," she went on. "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you." "A rather curious request at this time of night," her companion observed. She noticed that he had turned pale, and that the hand holding hers perceptibly trembled. Their glances met, and he saw in her dark and brilliant eyes the love-look of old that was so unmistakable. Upon her countenance there was a look of concern, and this he strove at once to dispel by saying airily: "I suppose it is some one who wants assistance or something. Where is he?" "In your secretary's room. I had him shown there, in order that his wish regarding the secrecy of his visit should be respected." "Then you have seen him?" "Yes. You were not to be found at the moment, so, hearing the message he had given the servant, I saw him myself. He's middle-aged, and rather shabbily dressed. From the state of his clothes I should think that he's walked over from Shrewsbury. He told me that the matter on which he desired to see you was of the greatest urgency, and apologised for calling at such an hour." "Well," he answered, "I suppose I'd better go and see the fellow, whoever he is. He may be some political crank or other. There are so many about." "Yes," Claudia urged; "if I were you I'd go at once, and get rid of him. It appears that Riggs told him you could not be seen until the morning, but he absolutely refused to be sent away." "Very well, I'll go and see who he is," replied the Under-Secretary, only remaining calm by dint of the most strenuous effort. Then, leading his partner to a seat, he bowed, took leave of her, and slipped away from the ball through several arched doors and down the two long corridors until he came to a door at the end.