Clary did not mind the remark, and she ordered the groom to get down from his horse and to knock. John, being used to obey punctually the orders of his young mistress, knocked with both fists at the closed gates, and Clary nodded her consent to it.
"Listen, Clary," said Madame Caraman, suddenly; "there is dancing in the house."
Indeed they could now plainly hear the sound of excellent music, and in the well lighted windows of the first story one could perceive here and there something like light shadows passing by.
Ere Clary could answer, the porter appeared and opened the gates, asking the pleasure of the cavalcade.
"Tell your master," said Clary, imperiously, "that I wish to speak to him at once."
"Oh, dear, that is impossible," stuttered the servant, stupefied; "the office is closed, and will only be opened again to-morrow morning at eight o'clock."
The porter was now ready to lock the gates again, but John had already, at a wink from his mistress, placed his horse between the gates, and, good or bad, they had to be left open.
"Please ask your master to be kind enough to come down at once," said Mademoiselle Ellis, peremptorily.
"Excuse me, mademoiselle, do you belong to the ball guests?" asked the man, shyly.