d his sheep. And my agony increased when
I arrived at the village and I saw four boys, who had doubtless just
come from school, look at me with astonishment. My God! I felt as if I
would faint. It was true courage which enabled me to keep my promise at
that moment.

As they passed they stared hard as if to mock me for being afraid of the
sun. One muttered something that had little enough meaning, but which
I regarded as a mortal insult: "It is the Marquis of Carabas!" he said,
and then all began to laugh heartily. But notwithstanding, I continued
on my way with my parasol still open. I did not flinch nor answer them,
but the blood surged to my cheeks and hummed in my ears.

In the time that followed there were many occasions when it was
necessary for me to pass upon my way without noticing the insults cast
at me by ignorant people; but I do not recall that their taunts caused
me any suffering. But my experience with the parasol! No, I am sure that
I have never accomplished any braver act that that.

But I am convinced that it is unnecessary for me to seek any other cause
for my aversion to umbrellas, an aversion that followed me into mature
age. And I attribute to handkerchiefs and such things, and to the
excessive care my family took to stop up every chink through which air
might reach me, my later habit, in line with my tendency to reactions,
of exposing my breast to the burning rays of the sun, of exposing myself
to every kind of wind and weather.

CHAPTER XLII.

With my head pressed against the glass in the door of the railway coach
that was going rapidly I continually asked my sister, who sat opposite:

"Are we in the mountains yet?"

"Not yet," she would answer, still remembering the Alps vividly. "Not
yet, dear. Those are only high hills."

The August day was warm and radiantly bright. We were in an express
train going south, on our way to visit those cousins whom we had never
seen.

"Oh! but that one! See! See!" I exclaimed triumphantly, as my eyes spied
an elevation towering above others; it was one whose blue height pierced
the clear horizon.

She leaned forward.

"Ah!" she said, "that is a little more like a mountain, I must
confess,--but it isn't a very high one, only wait!"

At the hotel, where we were obliged to remain until the following day,
everything interested us. I remember that night came suddenly, a night
of splendor, as we leaned upon the railing of the balcony leading fro