k
of the grotesque sight I must present to the ladies whom I notice at the
window."

"Why, it is Monsieur de Gerfaut!" exclaimed Mademoiselle de Corandeuil,
toward whom he raised his eyes.

Octave bowed to her with a gracious air. His glance wandered from the old
lady to Clemence, who did not seem to have the strength to leave the
window. M. de Bergenheim, after hurriedly greeting Marillac, finally
yielded to the assurance that a surgeon was unnecessary, and conducted
the two friends to his own room, where the wounded man could find
everything that he needed.

"What the devil was the use in sending me as ambassador, since you were
to make such a fine entrance upon the stage?" murmured Marillac in his
friend's ear.

"Silence!" replied the latter as he pressed his hand; "I am only behind
the scenes as yet."

During this time Clemence and her aunt had led Aline to her room.

"Now, tell us what all this means?" said Mademoiselle de Corandeuil,
while the young girl was changing her dress.

"It was Christian's fault," replied Aline. "We were galloping along
beside the river when Titania became frightened by the branch of a tree.
'Do not be afraid!' exclaimed my brother. I was not in the least
frightened; but when he saw that my horse was about to run away, he urged
his on in order to join me. When Titania heard the galloping behind her
she did run away in earnest; she left the road and started straight for
the river. Then I began to be a little frightened. Just fancy, Clemence,
I bounded in the saddle at each leap, sometimes upon the mare's neck,
sometimes upon the crupper; it was terrible! I tried to withdraw my foot
from the stirrup as Christian had told me to do; but just then Titania
ran against the trunk of a tree, and I rolled over with her. A gentleman,
whom I had not seen before, and who, I believe, actually jumped out of
the ground, raised me from the saddle, where I was held by something, I
do not know what; then that naughty Titania threw him against the tree as
he was helping me to my feet, and when I was able to look at him his face
was covered with blood. Christian rushed on the scene, and, when he saw
that I was not badly hurt, he ran after Titania and beat her! Oh! how he
beat her! Mon Dieu! how cruel men are! It was in vain for me to cry for
mercy; he would not listen to me. Then we came home, and, since this
gentleman is not badly wounded, it seems that my poor dress has fared
worst of all."

The