"
As he spoke the butler turned the handle of the door. My wife
flew across the room, opened the door, and, while Rudolf turned
his back, directed the man to bring some cold meat, or whatever
could be ready with as little delay as possible.
"Now come with me," she said to Rudolf, directly the servant was
gone.
She took him to my dressing-room, where he got dry clothes; then
she saw the supper laid, ordered a bedroom to be prepared, told
the butler that she had business with the baron and that he need
not sit up if she were later than eleven, dismissed him, and went
to tell Rudolf that the coast was clear for his return to the
sitting-room. He came, expressing admiration for her courage and
address; I take leave to think that she deserved his compliments.
He made a hasty supper; then they talked together, Rudolf smoking
his cigar. Eleven came and went. It was not yet time. My wife
opened the door and looked out. The hall was dark, the door
locked and its key in the hands of the butler. She closed the
door again and softly locked it. As the clock struck twelve
Rudolf rose and turned the lamp very low. Then he unfastened the
shutters noiselessly, raised the window and looked out.
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