t was rather long in coming
to a decision upon our note. If it occurred to him, after all, that we
might have some design, and that people with a design would be safer
inside than outside--well, I mention this only that you may know to keep
your wits about you."

"Thanks, but I see no reason to fear anything. Everything seems to be
going admirably. We are assured of some time in which to attend to our
affairs. While one of us is playing chess with the Count, the other will
be free to roam about,--that suits me perfectly. I begin to feel really
grateful for the Count's hospitality--I almost dislike having won it by
a trick."

"Pish! He is churlish enough as a rule in the matter of
hospitality--it's only fair to win it by a trick."

I was inwardly much excited at the near prospect of dinner, as the meal
would perhaps give me a sight of the Countess. But of this I was
disappointed. The only people who sat down at the upper table, when
dinner was served in the hall, were the Count, the Captain, my friend
Monsieur de Pepicot, and myself. Elsewhere the benches were crowded with
fellows who, like him that had brought our invitation, appeared as much
warriors as serving men, and their number alone would have arrested
notice. I now recalled how many knaves of this sort I had seen in the
court-yard as I entered the chateau, but at that time I had had other
things to think of.

The Count said nothing of the absence of his lady, and, as we could
scarce be thought to know whether he had a Countess living, it was not
for us to inquire about her. I spent my time wondering what could be her
situation, and whether her not appearing had anything to do with the
danger in which she supposed herself. My long-nosed friend ate very
industriously, and most of the conversation was between the Count and
the Captain, upon dogs and hawks and such things. When the Count
addressed either Monsieur de Pepicot or me, the Captain was silent. This
reticence, whether it proceeded from jealousy or contempt, seemed to
afford the Count a little amusement, for he turned his small eyes on the
Captain and stretched his thin lips in a smile that was truly horrible
in its relish of another's discontent.

After dinner, the Count had the chessmen brought at once, and sat down
to watch us at our game. The Captain, with a glance of disapproval at
the chessboard, strolled away as he had done before. I was but a
moderately good player, and discomposed besides, so