of in his present condition. "Why, that is Jacintha's wood."--"To the
devil with Jacintha and her wood too!" cried Edouard, "a man is worth
more than a fagot. Come, I shall wheel you home: it is only just across
the park."

With some difficulty he lifted him into the barrow. Luckily he had his
shooting-jacket on with a brandy-flask in it: he administered it with
excellent effect.

The ladies, as they walked, saw a man wheeling a barrow across the park,
and took no particular notice; but, as Riviere was making for the same
point they were, though at another angle, presently the barrow came near
enough for them to see Dard's head and arms in it. Rose was the first to
notice this. "Look! look! if he is not wheeling Dard in the barrow now."

"Who?"

"Can you ask? Who provides all our excitement?"

Josephine instantly divined there was something amiss. "Consider," said
she, "Monsieur Riviere would not wheel Dard all across the park for
amusement."

Rose assented; and in another minute, by a strange caprice of fate,
those Edouard had come to intercept, quickened their pace to intercept
him. As soon as he saw their intention he thrilled all over, but did not
slacken his pace. He told Dard to take his coat and throw it over his
foot, for here were the young ladies coming.

"What for?" said Dard sulkily. "No! let them see what they have done