SIR KARL MEETS THE PRINCESS The duke and I passed through the door by which Max and Hymbercourt had left the hall, and entered a narrow passageway eight or ten yards long, having two doors at the farther end.

The door to the right, I soon learned, led to the little parley room where Max and Hymbercourt had gone.

The door to the left opened into a staircase that led to the apartments of the duchess.

A narrow flight of stone steps that led from the ladies' gallery opened into the passage, and, just as the duke entered in advance of me, two ladies emerged from the stairs.

They did not see me in the shadow, and supposed that the duke was alone.