k her head, but she never glanced towards the woman who sat
there with expectant smile.

"I am afraid that I do not," she said. "I remember a good many things
about Bordighera, but--not Mrs. Smith-Lessing. I shall see you at
dinner-time, Blenavon. I have some messages for you."

I saw the whip come down upon the woman's horse, but I did not dare to
look into her face. Blenavon, with a smothered oath and a black look at
his sister, galloped after her. I rejoined Lady Angela, who was already
in the road.

"Dear me," she said, "what a magnificent nerve that woman must have! To
dare to imagine that I should receive her! Why, she is known in every
capital in Europe--a police spy, a creature whose brains and body and
soul are to be bought by any one's gold."

"What on earth can such a woman want here?" I remarked.

"In hiding, very likely," Lady Angela remarked. "Or perhaps she may be
an additional complication for you."

I laughed a little scornfully.

"You, too, are getting suspicious," I declared. "The Prince and Mrs.
Smith-Lessing are a strong combination."

"Be careful then that they are not too strong for you," she answered,
smiling. "I have heard a famous boast of Mrs. Smith-Lessing's, that
never a man nor a lock has yet resisted her."

I thought of her face as I had seen it in the half light--a faint
impression of delicate colourlessness, and for the life of me I could
not help a little shiver. Lady Angela looked at me in surprise.

"Are you cold?" she asked. "Let us walk more quickly."

"It is always cold at this time in the evening," I remarked. "It is the
mist coming up from the marshes. One feels it at unexpected moments."

"I am not going to take you any farther," she declared, "especially as
you are coming up to-night. Eight o'clock, remember. Go and salve your
conscience with some work."

I protested, but she was firm. So I stood by the gate and watched her
slim young figure disappear in the gathering shadows.

CHAPTER XVI

LADY ANGELA'S ENGAGEMENT

I dined that night at Rowchester. Lord Blenavon was sulky, and Lady
Angela was only fitfully gay. It was not altogether a cheerful party.
Lady Angela left us the moment Blenavon produced his cigarette-case.

"Do not stay too long, Mr. Ducaine," she said, as I held the door open
for her. "I want a lesson at billiards."

I bowed and returned to my seat. Blenavon was leaning back in his
chair, smoking thoughtfully.

"My sister," he remarked,