The Prince walked with them to the door and handed them over to his majordomo.
"It has been so nice of you," he said to the Duchess, "to honor my bachelor abode.

I shall often think of your visit." "My dear Prince," the Duchess declared, "it has been most interesting.
Really, I found it hard to believe, in that charming room of yours, that we had not actually been transported to your wonderful country." "You are very gracious," the Prince answered, bowing low.
Penelope's hands were within her muff.

She was talking some nonsense--she scarcely knew what, but her eyes rested everywhere save on the face of her host.

Somehow or other she reached the door, ran down the steps and threw herself into a corner of the brougham.

Then, for the first time, she allowed herself to look behind.