To get out next the house was to brave detection; whilst at the other side I found myself blocked in by carriages.

Escape was now hopeless! I turned hot and cold; I shrank back; I would have gone through the bottom of the carriage, if I could.
At this moment, to my horror, the footman opened the door.

I gave myself up for lost, and, in a sudden access of desperation, was on the point of rushing out _coute que coute_, when the lady ran forward; sprang lightly in; recoiled; and uttered a little breathless cry of surprise and apprehension! "_Mon Dieu_, Madame! what is it?
Are you hurt ?" cried two or three of the gentlemen, running out, bareheaded, to her assistance.
But, to my amazement, she unfastened her cloak, and threw it over me in such a manner as to leave me completely hidden beneath the folds.
"Oh, nothing, thank you!--I only caught my foot in my cloak.

I am really quite ashamed to have alarmed you! A thousand thanks--good-night." And so, with something of a slight tremor in her voice, the lady drew up the window.

The next instant the carriage moved on.
And now, what was to be done?
I blessed the accident which rendered me invisible; but, at the same time, asked myself how it was to end.
Should I wait till she reached her own door, and then, still feigning sleep, allow myself to be discovered?
Or should I take the bull by the horns, and reveal myself?
If the latter, would she scream, or faint, or go into hysterics?
Then, again, supposing she resumed her cloak ...