"You are not safe here, Miss Van Gorder." But if he was persistent in his attitude, so was she in hers.
"I've been safe in all kinds of houses for sixty-odd years," she said lightly.

"It's time I had a bit of a change.

Besides," she gestured toward her defenses, "this house is as nearly impregnable as I can make it.

The window locks are sound enough, the doors are locked, and the keys are there," she pointed to the keys lying on the table.

"As for the terrace door you just used," she went on, "I had Billy put an extra bolt on it today.