The king dashed out of the room just as Lady Connell, with a preparatory shake of the head, was about to say something further regarding her daughter.
The three rooms adjoining consisted of reception-room, a refreshment-room, and a bed-chamber; and when the king got to the door of the reception room, he found a servant on duty, who had the key of it.
“You are sure the lady is here?” said the king.
“Yes, sire.”
“Open the door and lock it after me.”
“Yes, sire.”
Without the least change of countenance, the servant opened the door for the king, who at once passed into the reception-room.
The door was shut behind him, and locked; but a glance told him that Ellen was not in that room.
Now there was something of the gentleman about the king, notwithstanding all his libertinism, therefore he thought it would be ungentlemanly to proceed further without Ellen knowing of his presence.
He took an irresolute glance around the room; and while he is debating in his own mind what course to pursue, we may give the reader a slight idea of the appearance of the suite of apartments.