Then, at any rate, I should have gone on; but the girl sat looking at me, silent and blushing; and something in the picture, something in the thought of her arriving alone and unprotected at St. Alais, taken with a memory of the lowering faces I had seen in the village, impelled me to stand and linger; and finally to blurt out what I had in my mind. "Mademoiselle," I said impulsively, ignoring her attendants, "if you will take my advice--you will not go on." One of the women muttered "_Ma foi!_" under her breath. The other said "Indeed!" and tossed her head impertinently. But Mademoiselle found her voice. "Why, Monsieur?" she said clearly and sweetly, her eyes wide with a surprise that for the moment overcame her shyness. "Because," I answered diffidently--I repented already that I had spoken--"the state of the country is such--I mean that Madame la Marquise scarcely understands perhaps that--that----" "What, Monsieur?" Mademoiselle asked primly. "That at St. Alais," I stammered, "there is a good deal of discontent, Mademoiselle, and----" "At St. Alais?" she said. "In the neighbourhood, I should have said," I answered awkwardly. "And--and in fine," I continued very much embarrassed, "it would be better, in my poor opinion, for Mademoiselle to turn and----" "Accompany Monsieur, perhaps?" one of the women said; and she giggled insolently. Mademoiselle St. Alais flashed a look at the offender, that made me wink. Then with her cheeks burning, she said:---- "Drive on!" I was foolish and would not let ill alone. "But, Mademoiselle," I said, "a thousand pardons, but----" "Drive on!" she repeated; this time in a tone, which, though it was still sweet and clear, was not to be gainsaid. The maid who had not offended--the other looked no little scared--repeated the order, the coach began to move, and in a moment I was left in the road, sitting on my horse with my hat in my hand, and looking foolishly at nothing.