She was expecting him, and received him in the red salon.

After a short conversation, she went downstairs with him to the yellow salon, where Wilhelm, at her request, followed them.

The visitor was the Spanish consul in Paris.

He produced a casket ornamented with mother-o'-pearl, broke a seal with which it was fastened, unlocked it with a small silver key, and took out a document in a closed envelope, and handed it to Pilar.

He then opened the door, and permitted his followers to enter.