The convent came in sight as we reached the fall of the hill.
"How peaceful that looks!" she said; "I wonder if it would be pleasant there!" I was myself just wondering how the Duchess of Saint-Maclou found it, when a loud cry of warning startled us.

We had been standing on the edge of the road, and a horse, going at a quick trot, was within five yards of us.

As it reached us, it was sharply reined in.

To my amazement, old Jean, the duchess' servant, sat upon it.

When he saw me, a smile spread over his weather-beaten face.
"I was nearly over you," said he.