"Oh!" exclaimed Jeanne, "what a pity!" "It doesn't matter," answered Bijou, "for it was not up to much. If I win my bet with M. de Bernes, I will let him give me a strong pin," and then, with a laugh, she added: "and not an expensive one, so that it will not seem like a present." "You have made a bet with M. de Bernes?" "Yes." "And you have to choose your present?" "Yes. Is there any harm in it?" "Harm? No! but it is odd." "Well! you are like grandmamma. She was scandalised, grandmamma was." "Well, it is odd, you know! And what have you been betting--you and M. de Bernes?" "I, that there would be, at least, one accident at the paper-chase; and he, that there would not be one at all." "Well, but that's very possible." "Oh, no! it is not very possible! There always are accidents; it would be the first paper-chase without one. Take notice that it is merely a question of a fall--just a simple fall--the person falls down, and is picked up again. I do not predict that anyone will be killed, you understand?" "Well, don't you go and have a fall, at any rate." "Oh, as to me!" said Bijou, her eyes shining with merriment, "there is no danger. Patatras has never been stronger on his legs. Pass me the scissors, will you, please, they are just by the side of you?" Jeanne watched her admiringly as she stood in front of the long glass. "There is not a single crease anywhere in your habit, and what a pretty figure you have, really, Bijou." * * * * * When, at a quarter past two, punctual, as usual, Bijou appeared on the stone steps in front of the half-door, she found Henry de Bracieux there, Jean de Blaye, and Pierrot. M. de Rueille had not yet come downstairs. The horses, which had been waiting a few minutes, were somewhat restless, as the flies were worrying them. Patatras alone was perfectly calm, nibbling at the hazel tree, and looking peaceably at what was going on around him. Presently Bertrade opened a window, and called out: "Don't wait for Paul. He is only just beginning to dress. He will catch you up." "Would you like to start, Bijou?" proposed Jean. "I feel almost inclined to let you start without me," she answered, in an undecided way. "Your three horses are jumping about like mad things; they will excite Patatras, who is quite peaceful now. Start on, at any rate--I will join you out there. Nothing annoys me more than to ride a horse that is pulling so that you can hardly hold him in, and that is what I should have to put up with, for certain, if I start with you." "Then you are going to wait for Paul?" asked Henry, looking bad-tempered. Bijou pointed to the carriages, which were just coming out of the stable-yard. "No, I am going to escort grandmamma." "Well, that is just what will rouse your horse up," said Jean de Blaye. "Oh, no! Don't you think I know my horse? Anyhow, all I ask you is to start off, and not to trouble yourselves about me."