"A most extraordinary thing has happened within the last hour, which I pray may turn out well. I was sitting writing at my table by the light of a couple of wax-candles, placed one on each side of my writing, and with my face towards the door--a trick a man, who has been fighting all his life, cannot get out of when he is going to give such close attention to a matter as to absorb his sense of hearing. I heard a faint noise, but took no note of it. On its repetition, and when I looked up, I saw in front of me a lady with her hood drawn and enveloped in a large cloak. These she flung off, exclaiming that she was heated with running, of which there were evident traces, for the flounces of her dress were torn and full of dust, and her slippers, which, like her dress, were of satin, were slashed. She had come quite close up to the table, not wishing to be overheard. It was the Princess of Favara, a lady of the Queen's household, and often with her; whom I have noticed besides as being the most beautiful of the maids of honour, who in this country are selected for their beauty. "Beside a woman like Emma she is, in the ordinary, somewhat colourless, though the clear olive of her face is very fine; but on this occasion it was flushed with a rich crimson which made her rival even Emma; and her eyes, which I have noticed as being of a quiet dark grey, shone blue; and her lips were red as blood against the small white teeth as she stood for a few seconds open-mouthed before me. "'Princess!' I cried. She put her finger to her mouth as the words died away on my lips, then beckoned to me. I went to her; and, putting her hand on my left shoulder, she whispered into my left ear to know if we were safe from overhearing. "'If I lock that door,' I said, pointing to the one which she had entered, 'no one can approach without passing through the room of my watchdog, Tom Allen. And Tom makes a noise like a bull when he moves, and can be trusted like the grave.'