"Supposing we were to meet them!" said Alicia, laughingly.
The carriage passed between two little towers, capped with tiles, that marked the entrance to the walled enclosure of Monaco. The harbor lay far below, with its boats that seemed so tiny. On the other side of the sheet of water shone the cupolas of the Casino and the many Monte Carlo hotels, with their multi-colored façades, the windows of their balconies and belvideres. It was impossible to make out the people. Automobiles were gliding along like tiny insects on the slope that descended to La Condamine.
They followed the asphalt avenue, between two narrow dense gardens, leading to the Museum of Oceanography.
"Look at them!" said Alicia with an expression of triumph, as she nudged the Prince at the same time.
When the latter turned his head all he could see were two indistinct forms hiding in a side path.
"It is they, you may be sure," continued the Duchess, laughing. "They were walking in the middle of the avenue. Valeria is very quick; she turned when she heard the sound of a carriage, and recognized me immediately. She hurried the scientist away as though she were dragging him along."
She stopped laughing, and her features took on a look of sad solemnity.
"Happy pair! What dreams! We have all gone through the same thing. The worst of it is that we want to keep on going in quest of something further, when we ought to remain satisfied with what we have."
The Prince nodded, repeating briefly:
"Happy pair!"