The room had no door but that by which they had entered, and no furniture but a rough bench and table. There was a cavernous chimney. The floor was strown all about with twigs and pine-needles.
One of the guides brought in some boughs, and kindled a fire on the hearth.
Dylar took leave of Tacita, and pursued his way down the carriage-road leading by the rocks. In parting he said,—
“After to-morrow I will see you, if the King wills.”
A stair led directly from the room to a landing. Two doors opened on this landing. One was closed. The other stood wide open into a chamber that was in pleasant contrast with the room below. A wide white bed, a deep sofa, a commode and mirror, a table set with covers for two drawn up before the sofa, and a second table holding roasted fowl, salad, wine, and fruit promised every necessary comfort. The room was rough but clean. A gray muslin curtain was drawn back from one side of the window, and there was a glazed sash in a sliding frame at the other.
“Isn’t it cosy!” said Elena, who seemed to be overflowing with joy at finding herself so near home. “Now, lie down on the sofa, dear, and you shall have some soup as soon as it is hot. We shall fare well. Our supper has been prepared by the housekeeper at the castle, and sent in good order.”
“I must not ask what castle?” Tacita said.
“Why, Castle Dylar, of course!” Elena said, and went down stairs for the soup.
There was a sound from below of the door being set on its hinges and barred, and the shutters were closed.
“The guides will sleep below,” Elena said.