I could not tell whether it was a live thing or not.
From this vestibule two low passages led; I took one of them, and found it branch into many, all narrow and irregular.

At a spot where was scarce room for two to pass, a page ran against me.

He started back in terror, but having scanned me, gathered impudence, puffed himself out, and asked my business.
"To see the princess," I answered.
"A likely thing!" he returned.

"I have not seen her highness this morning myself!" I caught him by the back of the neck, shook him, and said, "Take me to her at once, or I will drag you with me till I find her.

She shall know how her servants receive her visitors." He gave a look at me, and began to pull like a blind man's dog, leading me thus to a large kitchen, where were many servants, feebly busy, and hardly awake.