I liked very little to leave Elisabeth's property in another's hands.

Dissatisfied, I turned from the table, not noticing for more than an instant a little crumpled roll of paper which, as I was vaguely conscious, now appeared on its smooth marquetry top.
"But see," she said; "you are just like a man, after all, and an unmarried man at that! I can not go through the streets in this costume.
Excuse me for a moment." She was off on the instant into the alcove where the great amber-covered bed stood.

She drew the curtains.

I heard her humming to herself as she passed to and fro, saw the flare of a light as it rose beyond.

Once or twice she thrust a laughing face between the curtains, held tight together with her hands, as she asked me some question, mocking me, still amused--yet still, as I thought, more enigmatic than before.
"Madam," I said at last, "I would I might dwell here for ever, but--you are slow! The night passes.Come.My master will be waiting.