“I will be paid first,” said the man.
“You will!” said the officer fiercely.
“Oh! let us pay,” said the lady, putting her hand in her pocket. She turned pale. “Oh! mon Dieu, I have lost my purse! Feel for yours, Andrée.”
“Oh! madame, it is gone too.”
They looked at each other in dismay, while the young officer watched their proceedings, and the coachman sat grinning, and priding himself on his caution.
The lady was about to offer her gold chain as a pledge, when the young officer drew out a louis, and offered it to the man, who thereupon got down and opened the door.
The ladies thanked him warmly and got in.
“And now, sir, drive these ladies carefully and honestly.”
The ladies looked at each other in terror; they could not bear to see their protector leave them.
“Oh! madame,” said Andrée, “do not let him go away.”