Milly had stayed up for some time lest her mistress should require anything; but the girl being sleepy Paula sent her to bed.
It was a lovely night of early summer, and drawing aside the window curtains she looked out upon the flowers and trees of the Place, now quite visible, for it was nearly three o'clock, and the morning light was growing strong.

She turned her face upwards.

Except in the case of one bedroom all the windows on that side of the hotel were in darkness.
The room being rather close she left the casement ajar, and opening the door walked out upon the staircase landing.

A number of caged canaries were kept here, and she observed in the dim light of the landing lamp how snugly their heads were all tucked in.

On returning to the sitting-room again she could hear that Charlotte was still slumbering, and this encouraging circumstance disposed her to go to bed herself.
Before, however, she had made a move a gentle tap came to the door.
Paula opened it.