Let the Duke Casimir take his count with that!" So, as was natural, I became after that more than ever eager to join this most notable league of the White Wolf.
One night I had sat late talking to the Little Playmate, who was now growing a great maid and a beautiful--none like her, so far as I could see, in all the city of Thorn--a circumstance which made me more ready to be of Michael Texel's opinion with regard to any flighty and irresponsible courting of the maids of the town.

For had I not the fairest and the best of them all at home close by me?
On this night of which I speak it was almost bedtime when I heard a knocking at the outer port, and went to open the wicket.
And lo! there was Michael Texel come all the way to the Red Tower for me, though it was by his own trysting that we had agreed to meet at the inn of the White Swan.

Nevertheless there he was.

So there was nothing for it but to bring him in.

I presented him in form to the Little Playmate, who had quite forgotten her Princess-ship by this time in the sweetness of being our house-angel of the Red Tower.
I saw in a moment that Michael Texel was astonished at Helene's beauty, as indeed well he might be.