The Countess herself spoke seldom except to cheer the Provost's daughter; who, poor girl, flung suddenly out of the round of her life and cast among strangers, showed a better spirit than might have been expected.

At length, on the slopes of some low hills, which they had long seen before them, a cluster of houses and a church appeared; and Badelon, drawing rein, cried-- "Beaupreau, Madame! We stay an hour!" It was six o'clock.

They had ridden some hours without a break.

With sighs and cries of pain the women dropped from their clumsy saddles, while the men laid out such food--it was little--as had been brought, and hobbled the horses that they might feed.

The hour passed rapidly, and when it had passed Badelon was inexorable.