an for such an adventure. "Excuse me," said the Jehu, in a slightly
ironical tone, "I----"

"I said exactly what I mean," retorted Chupin, whose pride was severely
wounded. "And no more talk--hurry on, or we shall miss the track."

This last remark was correct, for if Madame d'Argeles's coachman had not
slackened his horse's speed on passing round the Arc de Triomphe, the
woman would have escaped Chupin, for that day at least. However, this
circumstance gave the cabman an opportunity to overtake the victoria;
and after that the two vehicles kept close together as they proceeded
down the Avenue de l'Imperatrice. But at the entrance of the Bois de
Boulogne Chupin ordered his driver to stop. "Halt!" he exclaimed; "I
shall get out. Pay the extra cab charges for passing beyond the limits
of Paris!--never! I'll crawl on my hands and knees first. Here are forty
sous for your fare--and good-evening to you."

And, as the blue victoria was already some distance in advance, he
started off at the top of his speed to overtake it. This manoeuvre was
the result of his meditations while riding along. "What will this fine
lady do when she gets to the Bois?" he asked himself. "Why, her coachman
will take his place in the procession, and drive her slowly round and
round the lakes. Meantime I can trot along beside her without attracting
attention--and it will be good for my health."

His expectations were realized in every respect. The victoria soon
turned to the left, and took its place in the long line of equipages
which were slowly winding round the lake. Having gained the foot-path
which borders the sheet of water, Chupin followed the carriage easily
enough, with his hands in his pockets, and his heart jubilant at the
thought that he would gain the sum supposed to have been spent in cab
hire, in addition to the compensation which had been promised him. "This
is a strange way of enjoying one's self," he muttered, as he trotted
along. "There can't be much pleasure in going round and round this lake.
If ever I'm rich, I'll find some other way of amusing myself."

Poor Chupin did not know that people do not go to the Bois to enjoy
themselves, but rather to torment others. This broad drive is in reality
only a field for the airing of vanity--a sort of open-air bazaar for
the display of dresses and equipages. People come here to see and to
be seen; and, moreover, this is neutral ground, where so-called honest
women can meet those notorio