gone," and now for the first time
it was remarked that he had left the apartment.

In a few moments after, they had drawn the little marquetrie table close
to the fire, and were deeply interested in the game.

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