Behold me then about six o’clock on the said Saturday evening being once more whirled by a splendid pair of horses through the gateway arch of Ragnall Castle.  The carriage stopped beneath the portico, the great doors flew open revealing the glow of the hall fire and lights within, the footman sprang down from the box and two other footmen descended the steps to assist me and my belongings out of the carriage.  These, I remember, consisted of a handbag with my dress clothes and a yellow-backed novel.

So one of them took the handbag and the other had to content himself with the novel, which made me wish I had brought a portmanteau as well, if only for the look of the thing.  The pair thus burdened, escorted me up the steps and delivered me over to the butler who scanned me with a critical eye.  I scanned him also and perceived that he was a very fine specimen of his class.  Indeed his stately presence so overcame me that I remarked nervously, as he helped me off with my coat, that when last I was here another had filled his office.

“Indeed, Sir,” he said, “and what was his name, Sir?”

“Savage,” I replied.

“And where might he be now, Sir?”

“Inside a snake!” I answered.  “At least he was inside a snake but now I hope he is waiting upon his master in Heaven.”

The man recoiled a little, pulling off my coat with a jerk.  Then he coughed, rubbed his bald head, stared and recovering himself with an effort, said,

“Indeed, Sir!  I only came to this place after the death of his late lordship, when her ladyship changed all the household.  Alfred, show this gentleman up to her ladyship’s boudoir, and William, take his—­ baggage—­to the blue room.  Her ladyship wishes to see you at once, Sir, before the others come.”

So I went up the big staircase to a part of the Castle that I did not remember, wondering who “the others” might be.  Almost could I have sworn that the shade of Savage accompanied me up those stairs; I could feel him at my side.

Presently a door was thrown open and I was ushered into a room somewhat dimly lit and full of the scent of flowers.  By the fire near a tea-table, stood a lady clad in some dark dress with the light glinting on her rich-hued hair.  She turned and I saw that she still wore the necklace of red stones, and beneath it on her breast a single red flower.  For this was Lady Ragnall; about that there was no doubt at all, so little doubt indeed that I was amazed.  I had expected to see a stout, elderly woman whom I should only know by the colour of her eyes and her voice, and perhaps certain tricks of manner.  But, this was the mischief of it, I could not perceive any change, at any rate in that light.  She was just the same!  Perhaps a little fuller in figure, which was an advantage; perhaps a little more considered in her movements, perhaps a little taller or at any rate more stately, and that was all.

These things I learned in a flash.  Then with a murmured “Mr. Quatermain, my Lady,” the footman closed the door and she saw me.