He lived in the strictest retirement--nobody was admitted to him, not even his own countrymen.

A stupid old woman was discovered who did the housework at the palace, arriving in the morning and going away again at night.

She had never seen the lost courier--she had never even seen Lord Montbarry, who was then confined to his room.

Her ladyship, 'a most gracious and adorable mistress,' was in constant attendance on her noble husband.

There was no other servant then in the house (so far as the old woman knew) but herself.