n.

I had told the maid to burn your letter. But she left it on the
floor where I had thrown it, and I came across it this morning. It
looked rather pathetic. So I am writing you against my better
judgment. Yes, I know your name; I find that I am well acquainted
with people you know. I am a woman who often surrenders to the
impulse of the moment; I may or may not answer any future letter
from you. You write very good Italian; but it will surprise you to
learn that I detest all things that are Italian. Once I loved them
well. Why should you wish to know me? Our ways are as divergent as
the two poles. Happy because I sing? There are some things over
which we can sing or laugh, but of which we can not speak without
crying. Happy or unhappy, what can this matter to you? To you I
shall always remain the Lady in the Fog. Are you rich, young,
talented? I care not in the least. Perhaps it amuses me to add to
your confusion. Find me? I think not. Seek me? Do so; I permit you
to. And would you know me if you found me? Misguided energy!

Hillard put the letter away, extinguished the lights, and passed up to
his room. She defied him to find her? This was a direct challenge. He
would accept it. This time he would use no personal to tell her that a
letter awaited her. She should make the inquiries herself. And from the
mail-clerk he would obtain a description of the elusive Madame Angot.
Next morning he rode in the park with Merrihew. Again he saw the veiled
lady on the Sandford black. Out of normal curiosity he telephoned the
stables and made inquiries. The reply was short. No one at the stables
knew the lady, but she rode the horse on proper authority.

That night he wrote:

I shall keep on writing till you cease to reply. Let me be frank
with you. I am bored; so are you. The pleasure you derive in
keeping up this mystery engages you. You bid me to find you. I
accept the challenge. You must understand at once that it is the
mystery that interests me. It is the unknown that attracts me. I am
mentally painting you in all sorts of radiant colors. You defy me
to find you. There is nothing so reliable as the unexpected,
nothing so desperately uncertain as a thing assured. I warn you
that I shall lay all manner of traps, waylay your messengers, bribe
them. I shall find out where you live. The rest will be s