The door opened, and the footstep began to ascend the stair.
There was but one man in the world who dared make so free with the Red Tower and its occupant.

Our visitor was without doubt the Duke Casimir himself.
For the first time I saw my father manifestly disconcerted.

The little maid's life might be worth no more than a torn ballad if Duke Casimir happened to be in evil humor or had repented him of his mercy of the past night.

I saw the Red Axe look aimlessly about for a hiding-place.
There was a niche round which certain cloaks and coverlets were hung.
"Come in here," he said, abruptly.
"Why should I hide, whoever comes ?" asked the Little Playmate, indignantly.
"It is the Duke Casimir," whispered my father, hurriedly, stirred as I had never seen him.

"Come hither quickly!" But the little maid struck an attitude, and tapped the floor with her foot.
"I will not," she said.