"Gate! gate!" cried a voice which seemed to be that of a man
in a hurry.

The Prince, turning round, observed Captain Van Deken.

"Is that you, Captain?" he said. "You are not yet out of the
Hague? This is executing my orders very slowly."

"Monseigneur," replied the Captain, "this is the third gate
at which I have presented myself; the other two were
closed."

"Well, this good man will open this one for you; do it, my
friend."

The last words were addressed to the gatekeeper, who stood
quite thunderstruck on hearing Captain Van Deken addressing
by the title of Monseigneur this pale young man, to whom he
himself had spoken in such a familiar way.

As it were to make up for his fault, he hastened to open the
gate, which swung creaking on its hinges.

"Will Monseigneur avail himself of my horse?" asked the
Captain.

"I thank you, Captain, I shall use my own steed, which is
waiting for me close at hand."