The gentleman wore an old- fashioned snuff-coloured suit, of the beginning of the century; he was, in fact, an aged uncle, who, during the Napoleonic wars, had been one of the English detenus in France.

The lady was very beautiful and wore something like a black Spanish mantilla.

The pair carried with them a curiously wrought steel box.

Before conversation was begun, the maid (still in the dream) brought in the lady's chocolate and the figures vanished.

When the maid withdrew, the figures reappeared standing by the table.