it's nothing serious, I know.'

"'And what horse played you that trick?'

"'Why, this one.'

"And I pointed out Brutus to Mme. de Noriolis. Brutus was there, quite
near us, untied, peacefully crunching little tufts of broom.

"'What, that one, that brave horse? Oh, he has well made up for his
faults, I assure you. I will tell you about it, but later on. You must
first get home, and at once.'

"'I can't walk a step.'

"'But I am going to take you back myself, at the risk of compromising
you.'

"And she called Bob, her little groom, and taking me gently by the arm,
while Bob took me by the other, she made me get into her carriage; five
minutes later we were bowling off, both of us, in the direction of La
Roche-Targé: she, holding the reins and driving the pony with a light
hand; I, looking at her, feeling troubled, confused, embarrassed,
ridiculous, and stupid. We were alone in the carriage. Bob was
commissioned to bring Brutus, who, very docile, had allowed himself to
be taken.

"'Lie down,' Mme. de Noriolis said to me; 'keep your leg straight; I am
going to drive you slowly so as to avoid bumps.'