I expressed my concern, accepted the Marshal's excuses very suavely, and received the compliments of a large number of distinguished personages.

No one betrayed the least suspicion, and I felt my nerve returning and the agitated beating of my heart subsiding.

But Fritz was still pale, and his hand shook like a leaf as he extended it to the Marshal.
Presently we formed procession and took our way to the door of the station.

Here I mounted my horse, the Marshal holding my stirrup.

The civil dignitaries went off to their carriages, and I started to ride through the streets with the Marshal on my right and Sapt (who, as my chief aide-de-camp, was entitled to the place) on my left.