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The Prince has gone to bed, poor little chap! He's done up altogether; and I thought of slipping over for a half-hour or so." Monsignor glanced at his friend.
"I think it would be an excellent thing," observed the old priest.
"Well, there's a carriage waiting," said the Bishop, rising.
"I think we'd better go, if we're going.

We shall be back within the hour." (II) It was within ten minutes of the time that the three had arranged to meet again at the foot of the Scala Regia that Monsignor suddenly realized that he had lost himself.
He had wandered for half an hour, after making his salutations to the Master of the Apostolic Palace, who, in the Pope's absence, was receiving the visitors; and, at first with Father Jervis and the Bishop, who had pointed out to him the notabilities, and presently drifting from them in the crowds, by himself, had gone up and down and in and out through endless corridors, courts, loggie, and great reception-rooms of the enormous place, watching the amazing crowds, and exchanging bows and nods with persons who bowed and nodded to him.
The whole system of the thing seemed new to him.