‘Nonsense.’

‘I should like to try you.’

‘I shouldn’t fear the trial.’

‘Il ne faut jamais dire a la fontaine, je ne boirai pas de ton eau.’

‘But when one’s thirst is for wine?’

’It shows that there’s some relation between psychology and geography, after all,’ she said.

‘What do you mean?’

’Oh, the influence of places.  It is here that you and she used to play a fugue on each other’s names.  The spot raises ghosts.  Ghosts of your old emotions.  And I’m conveniently at hand.’

’If you could see yourself, you’d understand that the influence of places is superfluous.  If you could look into my heart you’d recognise that my emotion is scarcely a ghost.’

‘There’s one thing I should like to see,’ she said.  ’I should very much like to look into your garden at Saint-Graal.’

‘Would you?’ he cried eagerly.  ‘When will you come?’

‘Whenever you like?’

‘Now.  At once.’

‘No.  To-morrow.’

‘To-morrow morning?’

‘Yes.  You can await me at your park-gates at eleven.’

‘Then you’ll lunch with me?’

‘No....  Perhaps.’

‘You’re an angel!’

And he trudged home on the air.  ‘If a woman will listen!’ his heart sang.  ‘If a woman will come to see your garden!’

XIII.

That evening a servant handed him a letter.

’A footman has brought it from Granjolaye, and is waiting for an answer.’

The letter ran thus:—­

’Monsieur: 

’I am directed by Her Majesty the Queen Helene to request the pleasure of your company at the Chateau de Granjolaye to-morrow at eleven.  Her Majesty desires me to add that she has only to-day learned of your presence in the country.

’Agreez, Monsieur, l’assurance de mes sentiments distingues,

‘CTSSSE.  DE WOLFENBACH.’

‘Oh, this is staggering,’ cried Paul.  ‘What to do?’ He walked backwards and forwards, pondering his reply.  ’I believe the only excuse that will pass with Royalty is illness or death.  Shall I send word that I died suddenly this morning?  Ah, well, here goes for a thumping lie.’

And he wrote:  ’Madame, I am unspeakably honoured by her Majesty’s command, and in despair that the state of my health makes it impossible for me to obey it.  I am confined to my bed by a severe attack of bronchitis.  Pray express to her Majesty my most respectful thanks as well as my profound regret.  I shall hope to be able to leave my room at the week’s end, when, if her Majesty can be prevailed upon again to accord me an audience, I shall be infinitely grateful.’

‘There!’ he muttered.  ’I have perjured my soul for you, and made myself appear ridiculous into the bargain. Bronchitis!  But—­a demain!  Good—­good Lord! if she shouldn’t come?’