We were now at the bottom of the staircase. She was leading, and it was she who opened the door.
"Well?" I said.
She had stopped, blocking the doorway. A dull cry escaped her.
"Didn't I tell you so! Oh, didn't I tell you so! He's a strong man, a very strong man!"
"What is it?" I asked in terror.
To our right a huge red glare lit up the night sky. Half the castle was on fire.
Against that background of flame the yews of the park stood out like black cones. The water in the Persephone fountain gleamed black and red.
"But who could have told him that we should come tonight?" said the Grand Duchess. "Only three of us knew: I, you and ... she."
For a few seconds we gazed at the tragic scene. Then noises began to be heard in the palace, startled from its first sleep.
"Come," said Aurora, "let's go and see."