I had in my room my favourite dog, the good and faithful Kiki. What was I to do with him? How would he take my flight? He barked at a fly! The hour had indeed arrived, but I saw many harassing obstacles in the way.
I ruminated on all this while the chambermaid finished her duties. At last I was alone....
I promptly dressed myself in a costume and put on a pair of boots which I had succeeded in concealing in anticipation of my flight. My packing was soon completed. All lights were extinguished, and, hardly daring to breathe, I awaited the signal.
But what signal? I knew nothing. I must listen....
By degrees complete silence reigned in this tranquil corner of Bavaria after the theatre, as is usual in Germany, closed at 10 o'clock. Those who partook of late suppers were few. The calm night enveloped Bad-Elster--a beautiful night with a full moon--one more danger. But I had no choice, and my vigil was soon about to end.
The twelve strokes of midnight sounded, then the half-hour, then one o'clock struck, and almost immediately I heard a scratching at my door like that of a mouse. Kiki raised himself ... but with a sign I quieted him, and he understood.
I opened the door softly. The shadow of the watchman could be dimly seen in the corridor.
"Silence!... Hold yourself in readiness. I will return when it is time."
I remained for two hours absolutely glued to my door, my valise beside me. At last I saw a glimmer of light. It was the watchman. I turned to my dog, who was watching me uneasily. He pricked up his ears, and, sitting on the corner of a cushion in a chair, he understood that I was going away without him.
I caressed him, saying as I did so: "Kiki, don't make a noise. If you do, I am lost!"
He did not move, he did not bark, he did not even whine.
I was now beside the watchman at the threshold of the door.
"You must take off your boots," he whispered. "You will be heard."
He stooped down and removed my boots; then, taking charge of my small baggage, he conducted me forth, leaning on his arm.
With one last look I said good-bye to the familiar things which I had left in my room, and I again enjoined my good little dog to silence. I went along the corridor into which the rooms of my "lady-in-waiting" and the doctor opened. Thank God, the doors remained closed! Another corridor took us to a staircase by which we gained the ground floor. There, in almost total obscurity, I perceived a shadow, with one finger on its lips. It was the count....