or
hot-water-bag-carrier, while the car whirled away, free and glorious.
The thought of a whole day in my master's and mistress's society,
undiluted by the saving presence of my adopted brother, was like bolting
a great dry crust of yesterday's bread. What an indigestion I should
have!

I was too wise, however, to betray the slightest anxiety one way or the
other; for if her ladyship suspected me of presuming to have a
preference she would punish me by crushing it, even if inconvenient to
herself. I was exquisitely meek and useful, lighting her fire (with wood
brought me by Jack) supplying her with hot water, and wrangling with the
landlady over her breakfast, which would have consisted of black coffee
and unbuttered bread, had it not been for my exertions. Breakfasts more
elaborate were unknown at Ste. Enemie; but coaxings and arguments
produced boiled eggs, goats' milk, and _confiture_, which I added to the
repast, and carried up to Lady Turnour's room.

No definite plans had been made even then; but harassed Sir Samuel told
his chauffeur to engage a boat, and have it ready "in case her ladyship
had a whim to go in it." The motor was to be in readiness
simultaneously, and then the lady could choose between the two at the
last moment.

Thus matters stood when my mistress appeared at the front door, hatted
and coated. At last she must decide whether she would descend the rapids
of the Tarn (quite safe, kind rapids, which had never done their worst
enemies any harm), or travel by a newly finished road through the gorge,
in the car, missing a few fine bits of scenery and an experience, but,
it was to be supposed, enjoying extra comfort. There was the big blue
car; there was the swift green river, and on the river a boat with two
respectful and not unpicturesque boatmen.

"Ugh! the water looks hideously cold and dangerous," she sighed,
shivering in the clear sunlight, despite her long fur coat. "But I have
a horror of the motor, since yesterday. I _may_ get over it, but it will
take me days. It's a hateful predicament--between _two_ evils, one as
bad as the other. I oughtn't to have been subjected to it."

"Dane says everyone does go by the river. It's the thing to do,"
ventured Sir Samuel, becoming subtle. "They've put a big foot-warmer in
the boat, and you can have your own rugs. There's a place where we land,
by the way, to get a hot lunch."

With a moan, the bride pronounced for the boat, which was a big
flat-b