When the gentleman replaced the paper on his companion's lap, his face was almost as pale as hers. For a moment he gazed fixedly and vacantly before him, and a half-suppressed curse escaped his lips. Then his eyes reverted to his neighbor. After some hesitation, during which he allowed the reins to hang so loose that the horse lapsed into a walk, he touched her gently on the shoulder. 'Well, Hortense,' said he, in a very pleasant tone, 'what's the matter; have you fallen asleep?' Hortense slowly opened her eyes, and, seeing that they had left the town behind them, raised her veil. Her features were stiffened with horror. 'Read that,' said she, holding out the open letter. The gentleman took it, and pretended to read it again. 'Ah! M. Bernier returns. Delightful!' he exclaimed. 'How, delightful?' asked Hortense; 'we mustn't jest at so serious a crisis, my friend.' 'True,' said the other, 'it will be a solemn meeting. Two years of absence is a great deal.' 'O Heaven! I shall never dare to face him,' cried Hortense, bursting into tears. Covering her face with one hand, she put out the other toward that of her friend. But he was plunged in so deep a reverie, that he did not perceive the movement. Suddenly he came to, aroused by her sobs. 'Come, come,' said he, in the tone of one who wishes to coax another into mistrust of a danger before which he does not himself feel so secure but that the sight of a companion's indifference will give him relief. 'What if he does come? He need learn nothing. He will stay but a short time, and sail away again as unsuspecting as he came.' 'Learn nothing! You surprise me. Every tongue that greets him, if only to say _bon jour_, will wag to the tune of a certain person's misconduct.' 'Bah! People don't think about us quite as much as you fancy. You and I, _n'est-ce-pas_? we have little time to concern ourselves about our neighbors' failings. Very well, other people are in the same box, better or worse. When a ship goes to pieces on those rocks out at sea, the poor devils who are pushing their way to land on a floating spar, don't bestow many glances on those who are battling with the waves beside them. Their eyes are fastened to the shore, and all their care is for their own safety. In life we are all afloat on a tumultuous sea; we are all struggling toward some _terra firma_ of wealth or love or leisure. The roaring of the waves we kick up about us and the spray we dash into our eyes deafen and blind us to the sayings and doings of our fellows. Provided we climb high and dry, what do we care for them?'