gaily to his wife:

"If only they would give me a restive animal I should be all the better
pleased. You'll see how well I can ride; and if you like we'll come
back by the Champs-Elysees just as all the people are returning from the
Bois. As we shall make a good appearance, I shouldn't at all object to
meeting some one from the ministry. That is all that is necessary to
insure the respect of one's chiefs."

On the day appointed the carriage and the riding horse arrived at the
same moment before the door. Hector went down immediately to examine his
mount. He had had straps sewn to his trousers and flourished in his hand
a whip he had bought the evening before.

He raised the horse's legs and felt them one after another, passed his
hand over the animal's neck, flank and hocks, opened his mouth, examined
his teeth, declared his age; and then, the whole household having
collected round him, he delivered a discourse on the horse in general
and the specimen before him in particular, pronouncing the latter
excellent in every respect.

When the rest of the party had taken their seats in the carriage he
examined the saddle-girth; then, putting his foot in the stirrup, he
sprang to the saddle. The animal began to curvet and nearly threw his
rider.

Hector, not altogether at his ease, tried to soothe him:

"Come, come, good horse, gently now!"

Then, when the horse had recovered his equanimity and the rider his
nerve, the latter asked:

"Are you ready?"

The occupants of the carriage replied with one voice:

"Yes."

"Forward!" he commanded.

And the cavalcade set out.

All looks were centered on him. He trotted in the English style,
rising unnecessarily high in the saddle; looking at times as if he were
mounting into space. Sometimes he seemed on the point of falling forward
on the horse's mane; his eyes were fixed, his face drawn, his cheeks
pale.

His wife, holding one of the children on her knees, and the servant, who
was carrying the other, continually cried out:

"Look at papa! look at papa!"

And the two boys, intoxicated by the motion of the carriage, by their
delight and by the keen air, uttered shrill cries. The horse, frightened
by the noise they made, started off at a gallop, and while Hector was
trying to control his steed his hat fell off, and the driver had to get
down and pick it up. When the equestrian had recovered it he called to
his wife from a distance:

"Don't let the children shout lik