us remote and secluded
creating any surprise, both host and hostess received us with the most
perfect ease, blended with a mixture of cordial civility very acceptable
at the moment.

'We wish to dine at once,' said I, as I handed Laura to a chair.

'And to know in what way we can reach Rochepied,' said she; 'our horses
are weary and not able for the road.'

'For the dinner, mademoiselle, nothing is easier; but as to getting
forward to-night----'

'Oh, of course I mean to-night--at once.'

'Ah, voila,' said he, scratching his forehead in bewilderment; 'we're
not accustomed to that, never. People generally stop a day or two; some
spend a week here, and have horses from Dinant to meet them.'

'A week here!' exclaimed she; 'and what in Heaven's name can they do
here for a week?'

'Why, there's the chateau, mademoiselle--the chateau of Philip de
Bouvigne, and the gardens terraced in the rock; and there's the well of
St. Sevres, and the Ile de Notre Dame aux bois; and then there's such
capital fishing in the stream, with abundance of trout.'

'Oh, delightful, I'm sure,' said she impatiently; 'but we wish to get
on. So just set your mind to that, like a worthy man.'

'Well, we'll see what can be done,' replied he; 'and before dinner's
over, perhaps I may find some means to forward you.'

With this he left the room, leaving mademoiselle and myself
_tete-a-tete_. And here let me confess, never did any man feel his
situation more awkwardly than I did mine at that moment; and before any
of my younger and more ardent brethren censure me, let me at least 'show
cause' in my defence. First, I myself, however unintentionally, had
brought Mademoiselle Laura into her present embarrassment; but for
me and the confounded roan she had been at that moment cantering
away pleasantly with the Comte d'Espagne beside her, listening to his
_fleurettes_ and receiving his attentions. Secondly, I was, partly from
bashfulness, partly from fear, little able to play the part my present
emergency demanded, which should either have been one of downright
indifference and ease, or something of a more tender nature, which
indeed the very pretty companion of my travels might have perfectly
justified.

'Well,' said she, after a considerable pause, 'this is about the most
ridiculous scrape I've ever been involved in. What _will_ they think at
the chateau?'

'If they saw your horse when he bolted----'

'Of course they did,' said she; 'but what c