He stood for some time at the window, knowing that anybody watching would be able to see him clearly with the light behind him.
Then, thinking it unlikely that the robbers would return, he went back to bed.
*
In the morning, thanks to the Duke’s organisation, everything went smoothly.
He had paid for the coffin, which he was certain was more expensive than the one that Irisa would have chosen. By the time she came from her bedroom, pale but composed, her father had been lifted from the bed and into it.
The embalmers had come back to make sure that their work had not deteriorated overnight and had brought with them flowers which the Duke thought should be both inside and outside the coffin.
He saw that Irisa was wearing a gown that he had not seen her before, again very simple, and th
