Ich hatte die Galerie schon wieder erreicht und schloß gerade die Hinterthür, als ein zunehmendes Stimmengemurmel mir verkündete, daß die Damen im Begriffe waren, ihre Zimmer zu verlassen.
I had regained the gallery, and was just shutting the back-door behind me, when an accelerated hum warned me that the ladies were about to issue from their chambers. I could not proceed to the schoolroom without passing some of their doors, and running the risk of being surprised with my cargo of victualage; so I stood still at this end, which, being windowless, was dark: quite dark now, for the sun was set and twilight gathering.