Terror and a dismay indescribable seized her; she turned and fled back to the company of her kind.

But for a long time she sought the house in vain; she could not reach it; the avenue seemed interminable to her feet returning.

At last she was again upon the lawn, but neither man nor woman was there; and in the house only a light here and there was burning.

Every guest was gone.

She entered, and the servants, soft-footed and silent, were busy carrying away the vessels of hospitality, and restoring order, as if already they prepared for another company on the morrow.