Approaching Coblenz her aunt said, 'Paula, let me suggest that you be not so much alone with Captain De Stancy.' 'And why ?' said Paula quietly.
'You'll have plenty of offers if you want them, without taking trouble,' said the direct Mrs.Goodman.

'Your existence is hardly known to the world yet, and Captain De Stancy is too near middle-age for a girl like you.' Paula did not reply to either of these remarks, being seemingly so interested in Ehrenbreitstein's heights as not to hear them.
IX.
It was midnight at Coblenz, and the travellers had retired to rest in their respective apartments, overlooking the river.

Finding that there was a moon shining, Paula leant out of her window.

The tall rock of Ehrenbreitstein on the opposite shore was flooded with light, and a belated steamer was drawing up to the landing-stage, where it presently deposited its passengers.
'We should have come by the last boat, so as to have been touched into romance by the rays of this moon, like those happy people,' said a voice.
She looked towards the spot whence the voice proceeded, which was a window quite near at hand.

De Stancy was smoking outside it, and she became aware that the words were addressed to her.
'You left me very abruptly,' he continued.
Paula's instinct of caution impelled her to speak.
'The windows are all open,' she murmured.