"Do not speak again till I permit you.

I must think." The journey was accomplished in half an hour.
"It is here, monsieur, that we alight," she said as the carriage stopped.
I was glad that her opera cloak was of dark material and that she wore a veil.
The building before which we stood was on the outskirts of the city.
Far away to my left I could see the flickering lights of the palaces; a yellowish haze hung over all.

Once within the building I noted with surprise the luxurious appointments.

Plainly it was no common inn, a resort for the middle and traveling classes; whether it was patronized by the nobility I could only surmise.
"We shall continue to speak in French," she said, as she threw back her cloak and lifted her veil.

"Monsieur has probably heard that the Princess Hildegarde is a creature of extravagant caprices; and he expects an escapade." "Your Highness wrongs me," I protested.