Is it not best so ?" Blanka gave him her hand in mute assent.
* * * * * An hour later Manasseh and Blanka stood in the shelter of the gateway by which the countess was expected to leave Rome.

They had not long to wait: the sound of an approaching carriage was soon heard, and when it halted under the gas-lamp Blanka recognised her friend's equipage.

The gate-keeper advanced to examine the traveller's passport, and as the carriage door was thrown open Blanka hastened forward and made herself known.
"What do you wish ?" demanded the liveried footman.
The princess turned and looked at him.

Surely she had seen that face and form before in a different setting, but she could not recall when or where.

So much was evident, however, that the speaker was more wont to give than to receive orders.