They wandered down the wide
steps; they crossed to the parapet; they gazed into that great unknown
gulf, in which they could descry nothing but one or two spectral black
trees, their topmost branches coming up into the clearer air. Then they
walked along to the southern end of the terrace; and here they came in
sight of the moon--a far-distant world on fire it seemed to be,
especially when the sombre golden radiance touched a passing tag of
cloud and changed it into lurid smoke. All the side of the vast building
looking towards them was dark--save for one window that burned red.
"Is that where we dine?" asked Nina, as they returned.
"Oh, no," Lionel answered. "Our room is at the end of the passage by
which we came out--I suppose the shutters are closed. I fancy that is
the coffee-room."
"I am going to have a peep in," Mlle. Girond said, as they ascended the
steps again; and when they had reached the balcony she went along to the
window, leaving her companions behind, for they did not share in this
childish curiosity. But the next moment little Capitaine Crepin came
back, in a great state of excitement.
"Come, come, come!" she said, breathlessly.
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