"I came to see if you were going to the reception to-night. If so, we might go together. But it's rather late!"
"We haven't heard about that."
"Oh! it's purely informal. The Holy Father probably won't appear himself, except perhaps for a moment."
"Oh! At the Vatican?"
"Yes. There will be an enormous crowd, of course. . . . The Prince has gone to bed, poor little chap! He's done up altogether; and I thought of slipping over for a half-hour or so."
Monsignor glanced at his friend.
"I think it would be an excellent thing," observed the old priest.
"Well, there's a carriage waiting," said the Bishop, rising. "I think we'd better go, if we're going. We shall be back within the hour."
(II)
It was within ten minutes of the time that the three had arranged to meet again at the foot of the Scala Regia that Monsignor suddenly realized that he had lost himself.