In the coach-house were seen some very curious old state coaches used by Charles X. and Napoleon I. and many other sovereigns.
The man in charge was almost as much of a curiosity as the coaches, he told his stories in such an interesting manner, laughing heartily at his own jokes.
PETIT TRIANON.—Page [108].
The drive home was delightful, but they were all too tired to say very much. After a good dinner, the two girls talked as fast as magpies over the delights of the day. Being like most girls, Marie Antoinette was one of the most interesting characters in French history, and they talked of her and her sad life, feeling almost as if they had lived a portion of it with her, in the quiet retreat and lovely gardens of Versailles.
Mr. Winter said to his wife, "I have really finished my business this side of the water, and unless you would like to remain in London three or four more days for the 'Etruria,' we can catch the 'Teutonic' next Wednesday."
Mrs. Winter said she would like to go home on the "Teutonic" very much, but did not like to leave Mr. and Mrs. Ford, as they had made all their arrangements to go home together.
Mr. Ford said, "We are delighted to shorten the trip, as I ought to be at home now; but we did not like to break up the party."
"Very well," said Mr. Winter. "We will go out and telegraph to Liverpool for state-rooms."
Alice said to her mamma, "I wonder if we can like the 'Teutonic' as well as we did the 'Etruria' that brought us over the seas so safely."