“Oh yes, madame, and you are quite safe; you may trust to me;” and his vigorous arm propelled them at a still increased pace. He emulated the circles of St. George, and flew round as fast with the sledge as could even that experienced skater without it.
Then, leaving these evolutions, he pushed the sledge straight before him, and with such force that he himself remained behind.
St. George, seeing this, made a tremendous effort to gain the sledge before him, but was distanced by Philippe, who once more seized it, turned it, and flew in a new direction.
The air now rang with such acclamations, that Philippe began to feel ashamed.
Then the queen, who had joined the applause with her hands, turned round and said to him, “And now, M. de Taverney, that you have gained the victory, stop, I beg, or you will kill me.”
CHAPTER X.
THE TEMPTER.
Philippe, at this request of the queen, made a strong effort, and stopped the sledge abruptly.
“And now, rest yourself,” said she, coming out of it all trembling. “Indeed, I never could have believed the delight of going so fast, but you have made me quite tremble;” and she took Philippe’s arm to support herself, until a general murmur reminded her that she was once more committing a breach of etiquette.
As for Philippe, overwhelmed by this great honor, he felt more ashamed than if his sovereign had insulted him publicly; he lowered his eyes, and his heart beat as though it would burst.
The queen, however, withdrew her arm almost immediately, and asked for a seat. They brought her one.