It was late.

Now and then the sound of a galloping horse was borne up by the breeze, and presently Maurice heard the midnight bell boom forth from the sleepy spires of the cathedral--where the princess was to be married.
One by one the lamps of the park went out, but the moon shone on, lustrous and splendid.

First he reviewed his odd adventure in the archbishop's gardens.

He had spoken to princesses before, but they were women of the world, hothouse roses that bloom and wither in a short space.

The atmosphere which surrounded this princess was idyllic, pastoral.