“Yes; and there’s the magic hand that did it,” observed her companion, with a movement of his head toward Donna Beatrice, who was approaching with Tarsis.

“Donna Beatrice! You are right. A noble fisher maiden.”

“Who hooked a golden whale.”

“She has a carriage not shared with other branches of the family now.”

“How is that?”

“Family secret. I’m the only outsider who knows. Some time I may tell—you.”

“Tarsis looks as if he’d like to bite somebody.”

“Old instinct. You know the beginning of his career?”

“Yes; watch-dog in a silk-mill.”

“Time-keeper. I suppose that’s the kind of face he used to pull when a hand turned up late.”