I waited no more to hear her laugh, as she did again; but went out and down the staircase. The porter's chamber had its door half open: I pushed the door and went in. The fellow started up.
"Here is a guinea," said I, throwing one upon the table; "and my apologies. But 'twas you that began it!"
Then I turned and went out.
As I came down the steps into the little lamplit way, a man was coming swiftly up it from the direction of the court, with one of the guards behind him. I stopped short, thinking I was to be arrested. But it was the page.
"Good God!" he said. "You have done finely indeed!"
I was still all shaking; and I simulated anger without any difficulty.
"And whose fault is that?" said I, as if in a fury. "Do you think—"
"And His Majesty may come by at any instant!" he said.
"Why; that is what I wish. In any case I must see him at ten o'clock to-morrow."
"You are mad!" he said. "You had best begone to the country before dawn: and even that will not save you." He looked over his shoulder at the young man who had fetched him, and who now stood waiting.