“Indeed!  I believe you,” sneered the groom, “both are on their last legs.”

“I am neither Perdreau nor Mascareau,” observed the wounded man with a smile.

Rousselet drew himself up at full height, with the dignity of a man of talent who scorns to reply to either criticism or mistrust.

“Monsieur,” said Gerfaut, turning to the Baron, “I am really causing you too much trouble.  This trifle does not merit the attention you give it.  I do not suffer in the least.  Some water and a napkin are all that I need.  I fancy that I resemble an Iroquois Indian who has just been scalped; my pride is really what is most hurt,” he added, with a smile, “when I think of the grotesque sight I must present to the ladies whom I notice at the window.”

“Why, it is Monsieur de Gerfaut!” exclaimed Mademoiselle de Corandeuil, toward whom he raised his eyes.

Octave bowed to her with a gracious air.  His glance wandered from the old lady to Clemence, who did not seem to have the strength to leave the window.  M. de Bergenheim, after hurriedly greeting Marillac, finally yielded to the assurance that a surgeon was unnecessary, and conducted the two friends to his own room, where the wounded man could find everything that he needed.

“What the devil was the use in sending me as ambassador, since you were to make such a fine entrance upon the stage?” murmured Marillac in his friend’s ear.

“Silence!” replied the latter as he pressed his hand; “I am only behind the scenes as yet.”

During this time Clemence and her aunt had led Aline to her room.

“Now, tell us what all this means?” said Mademoiselle de Corandeuil, while the young girl was changing her dress.

“It was Christian’s fault,” replied Aline.  “We were galloping along beside the river when Titania became frightened by the branch of a tree.  ‘Do not be afraid!’ exclaimed my brother.  I was not in the least frightened; but when he saw that my horse was about to run away, he urged his on in order to join me.  When Titania heard the galloping behind her she did run away in earnest; she left the road and started straight for the river.  Then I began to be a little frightened.  Just fancy, Clemence, I bounded in the saddle at each leap, sometimes upon the mare’s neck, sometimes upon the crupper; it was terrible!  I tried to withdraw my foot from the stirrup as Christian had told me to do; but just then Titania ran against the trunk of a tree, and I rolled over with her.  A gentleman, whom I had not seen before, and who, I believe, actually jumped out of the ground, raised me from the saddle, where I was held by something, I do not know what; then that naughty Titania threw him against the tree as he was helping me to my feet, and when I was able to look at him his face was covered with blood.  Christian rushed on the scene, and, when he saw that I was not badly hurt, he ran after Titania and beat her!  Oh! how he beat her!  Mon Dieu! how cruel men are!  It was in vain for me to cry for mercy; he would not listen to me.  Then we came home, and, since this gentleman is not badly wounded, it seems that my poor dress has fared worst of all.”