They were celebrating their convivial exploits in three different keys, when suddenly, as they reached the end of the railing leading down to the quay, they found an obstacle in their path, in the shape of this young girl.

La Valliere stopped; while they, on their part, at the appearance of the young girl dressed in court costume, also halted, and seizing each other by the hand, they surrounded La Valliere, singing,-- "Oh! all ye weary wights, who mope alone, Come drink, and sing and laugh, round Venus' throne." La Valliere at once understood that the men were insulting her, and wished to prevent her passing; she tried to do so several times, but her efforts were useless.

Her limbs failed her; she felt she was on the point of falling, and uttered a cry of terror.

At the same moment the circle which surrounded her was suddenly broken through in a most violent manner.

One of her insulters was knocked to the left, another fell rolling over and over to the right, close to the water's edge, while the third could hardly keep his feet.