It was gray-black in the small streets; and but for the occasional light in a window the dark would have had no modification.

Sometimes he would lose the point of the compass and blunder against a wall or find himself feeling for the curb, hesitant of foot.

The wayside shrine was a rift in the gloom, and he knew that he had only a few more steps to take.

After all, who was the lady in black and why should he bother himself about her?
She probably came from the back stairs of the palace.

And yet, the chancellor himself had been in this place.