The door could be left open, so that they could talk, and at the first sound without, she could lock it again and sit down.

That would be quite as safe.
She rose and was almost in the act of opening the door again when she stopped and hesitated.

It was possible that at any moment the King might be at the door; for though she could hear every sound that came from the next room, the thick curtains that hid the window effectually shut out all sound from without.

It struck her that she could go to the window, however, and look out.

Yet a ray of light might betray her presence in the room to any one outside, and if she drew aside the curtain the light would shine out upon the terrace.