"And the third quest?" I reminded her.
"The third quest was the hardest of all. He came to White Cat's castle again, and he stayed a year. They had a most delightful time together."
"I can understand that. Just as we have had."
Her gaze went down to her feet. "Yes, just as we have had here at Midmeadows."
I reached over and took the prism from her hand. I couldn't help wanting to touch her, however casually.
"And of course—you don't need to tell me—he did find the fairest lady in the whole world."
She smiled dimly and clasped her hands. "Thank you," she said, not too absorbed to pay me most graciously for my compliment. Then, more seriously, she added, "Yes, I am the White Cat. That is the way you must think of me, when you have gone. The enchanted White Cat!"
I dared not answer. All the peculiar moods she had shown me came up for a new vision. So she knew that something was the matter, something of which her amnesia was only a symptom. She had never come so close to it before. I stooped down, took her hand and carried it to my lips.
"White Cat," I said, "I don't know whether you are enchanted or not, but I know you're enchanting!"
"Be careful I don't scratch you!" she said, a little bitterly.