He had heard M.du Tillet tell the marquis on the previous day that this dog, which was a great favourite, seemed strange and unquiet, and he had ordered it to be chained up.

It had evidently broken its fastening, for it was dragging a piece of chain some six feet long behind It.
It flashed across him at once that the animal was mad, but without an instant's hesitation he dashed off at full speed and threw himself in front of the ladies before the dog reached them.

Snatching off his coat, and then kneeling on one knee, he awaited the animal's attack.

Without deviating from its course the hound sprang at him with a short snarling howl.

Harry threw his coat over its head and then grasped it round the neck.
The impetus of the spring knocked him over, and they rolled together on the ground.