“I should like to know what that means,” said Maurice.
“It is very strange,” the prince said, musingly. “I have seen that woman before. She is one of the dancers at the opera.”
“Mayhap she has a lover on the other side.”
“Mayhap. Let us be on. There's the sun, and we are a good thirteen miles away!” and the prince slapped the neck of his horse, which bounded forward.
This tiring pace they maintained until they mounted the hill from which they could see the glittering spires of the city, and the Werter See as it flashed back the sunlight.
“Bleiberg!” Maurice waved his hand.
“Thanks to you, that I look on it.”
It was ten o'clock when they passed under the city gates.
“Monsieur, will you go with me to the palace?” asked the prince.
“If your Highness will excuse me,” said Maurice; “no, I should be in the way; and besides I am dead for want of sleep.”