The briefness of the lucifers was merciful or merciless, as you like.
"A wide step, Madam; be careful," I suggested.

But still she hesitated.
A laugh, half of annoyance, half of amusement, broke from her lips.

As the light flickered down, she made as though to take the step; then, as luck would have it, a bit of her loose drapery, which was made in the wide-skirted and much-hooped fashion of the time, caught at the hinge of the carriage door.

It was a chance glance, and not intent on my part, but I saw that her other foot was stockinged, but not shod! "I beg Madam's pardon," I said gravely, looking aside, "but she has perhaps not noticed that her other slipper is lost in the carriage." "Nonsense!" she said.

"Allow me your hand across to the walk, please.