Contrary Mary

When the door was finally opened, it was done quickly and was shut

quickly, and the girl who had entered laughed breathlessly as she

turned to him.

"Oh, you must forgive me--I've kept you waiting?"

If their meeting had been in Sherwood forest, he would have known her

at once for a good comrade; if he had met her in the Garden of

Biaucaire, he would have known her at once for more than that. But,

being neither a hero of ballad nor of old romance, he knew only that

here was a girl different from the silken ladies who had ascended the

stairs. Here was an air almost of frank boyishness, a smile of

pleasant friendliness, with just enough of flushing cheek to show

womanliness and warm blood.

Even her dress was different. It was simple almost to the point of

plainness. Its charm lay in its glimmering glistening sheen, like the

inside of a shell. Its draperies were caught up to show slender feet

in low-heeled slippers. A quaint cap of silver tissue held closely the

waves of thick fair hair. Her eyes were like the sea in a storm--deep

gray with a glint of green.

These things did not come to him at once. He was to observe them as

she made her explanation, and as he followed her to the Tower Rooms.

But first he had to set himself straight with her, so he said: "I was

sorry to interrupt you. But you said--seven?"

"Yes. It was the only time that the rooms could be seen. My sister

and I occupy them--and Constance is to be married--to-night."

This, then, was the reason for the effulgence and the silken ladies.

It was the reason, too, for the loveliness of her dress.

"I am going to take you this way." She preceded him through a narrow

passage to a flight of steps leading up into the darkness. "These

stairs are not often used, but we shall escape the crowds in the other

hall."

Her voice was lost as she made an abrupt turn, but, feeling his way, he

followed her.

Up and up until they came to a third-floor landing, where she stopped

him to say, "I must be sure no one is here. Will you wait until I see?"

She came back, presently, to announce that the coast was clear, and

thus they entered the room which had been enlarged and rounded out by

the fourth tower.

It was a big room, ceiled and finished in dark oak, The furniture was

roomy and comfortable and of worn red leather. A strong square table

held a copper lamp with a low spreading shade. There was a fireplace,

and on the mantel above it a bust or two.