She was compelled to come with me, and having told the postillion that I wanted to go by the nearest road, he left the other carriages, and took the way through the forest of Cequini.

The sky was clear and cloudless when we left, but in less than half-an-hour we were visited by one of those storms so frequent in the south, which appear likely to overthrow heaven and earth, and which end rapidly, leaving behind them a bright sky and a cool atmosphere, so that they do more good than harm.
"Oh, heavens!" exclaimed my companion, "we shall have a storm." "Yes," I say, "and although the chaise is covered, the rain will spoil your pretty dress.

I am very sorry." "I do not mind the dress; but the thunder frightens me so!" "Close your ears." "And the lightning ?" "Postillion, let us go somewhere for shelter." "There is not a house, sir, for a league, and before we come to it, the storm will have passed off." He quietly keeps on his way, and the lightning flashes, the thunder sends forth its mighty voice, and the lady shudders with fright.

The rain comes down in torrents, I take off my cloak to shelter us in front, at the same moment we are blinded by a flash of lightning, and the electric fluid strikes the earth within one hundred yards of us.

The horses plunge and prance with fear, and my companion falls in spasmodic convulsions.