"Here we are at last--ah--"

This last ejaculation was caused by discovering that she could not rise
from her seat, her dress having been shut into the door of the _coupé_.

Ray bent forward with a polite "allow me," to assist her, but found that
he could not disengage the dress.

Just then the coachman opened the door, but in spite of the young man's
utmost care, the beautiful cloth was badly torn in the operation.

"What a pity!" he exclaimed, in a rueful tone.

But madame looked up with a silvery laugh.

"Never mind," she said lightly, "accidents will happen, and I ought to
have been more careful when I entered the carriage."

Ray stepped out upon the sidewalk, where he stood waiting to assist
his companion, who, however, was trying to pin the rent in her skirt
together. Then gathering up some packages that were lying on the seat
opposite, she laughingly inquired:

"Please may I trouble you with these for a moment?"

"Indeed you may. Pray excuse my negligence," Ray gallantly exclaimed, as
he extended his hands for them.

She filled them both, and then gracefully descended to the ground.