Let us return to Raymond. He waited impatiently for my return from my walk. The cabriolet was mended, the horse harnessed, and we were at liberty to start. I helped in my two invalids, for Raymond was little better off than the groom; he could hardly move. I took my seat between them, and, after paying the innkeeper's account, which included the slippers in which my companion returned to Paris, we started for the capital, where we arrived without accident, because I did not allow Monsieur Raymond to take the reins. On reaching our abode, we dismissed the cabriolet and gave the groom something by way of compensation for his sprained foot, which would keep him in the house a few days. I paid everything and presented to my companion a statement of our expenses overnight, as follows: _F. C._ For the cabriolet, which we kept one day longer than we intended 30 00 For the peasant woman and her son, who acted as our guide and helped us to pick up our horse 6 00 For the hire of three donkeys at midnight 9 00 For repairing the cabriolet 12 00 For injury to vines 5 00 For accommodation at the inn, lodging, supper, and breakfast 28 00 For slippers for Monsieur Raymond 2 50 For the servant who rubbed Monsieur Raymond 3 00 For fire on two hearths, a most unusual thing in inns 2 00 For the groom, who sprained his foot trying to stop our horse 20 00 ______ Total 117 50 On examining the items of expense of our pleasure party, to which he might have added his costume, which was almost completely ruined, from the hat to the shoes, Raymond heaved a profound sigh, and he was rather long about taking from his purse the fifty-eight francs seventy-five centimes that he owed me. Our account being adjusted at last, we betook ourselves to our respective apartments. XX SUSPICIONS OF THE MIND.--APPREHENSIONS OF THE HEART Thanks to my neighbor, I had not availed myself of Madame de Marsan's courteous invitation; but I proposed to go soon to make my excuses to her, and I would be careful to go alone; it seemed to me that that would be preferable in every way. Doubtless Caroline was awaiting me impatiently; I must make haste to put an end to her anxiety. I had promised to return during the night; but unforeseen events---- It was after two o'clock in the afternoon, when I hastened to Rue Caumartin.