The color rushed into Dan’s face. How bully of her! What a brick this showed her to be! He said: “You are as sweet as a peach!”
The duchess’ hands were still on his shoulders. She could feel his rapid breath.
“I don’t make you think of a box of candy now?” she murmured, and the boy covered her hand with his own.
“I don’t know what you make me think of—it is bully, whatever it is!”
If the Spanish tapestry could only have reversed its idea, and if the immaculate lady, or even one of the rabbits, could have drawn a sword to protect the Green Knight, it would have been passing well. But the woven work, when it first had been embroidered, was done for ever; it was irrevocable in its mistaken idea, that it is only the woman who needs protection!
CHAPTER XIII—THE FACE OF LETTY LANE
As Dan went through the halls of the Carlton on his way to his rooms that same evening, the porter gave him two notes, which Dan went down into the smoking-room to read. He tore open the note bearing the Hotel Savoy on the envelope, and read:
“Dear Boy: Will you come around to-night and see me about five o’clock? Don’t let anything keep you.” (Letty Lane had the habit of scratching out phrases to insert others, and there was something scratched out.) “I want to talk to you about something very important. Come sure. L. L.”
Dan looked at the clock; it was after nine, and she would be at the Gaiety going on with her performance.
The other note, which he opened more slowly, was from Ruggles, and it began in just the same way as the dancer’s had begun: