"Yes, yes; I know all that. And then?"
"What a night it was! The gusts of wind were incessant, especially in those out-of-the-way suburbs. I turned up my trousers to the knee, for how could I come into your drawing-room covered with mud? I wanted to carry the basket on one arm, and the open umbrella in the other hand, but it was impossible. After a few steps, I came back and left the umbrella with Jacoba. What a walk! Holy heaven, what a business! The wind kept blowing down the collar of my coat, the rain dashed in my face and down my neck. I was frightened the baby would get wet. I went along fearing to breathe. Supposing I had slipped just then! The wind blew at times so strongly that I could hardly get along. You can easily believe that I was tempted to go back and leave it for another day."
"I can easily believe it. I know that a plate of water would be enough to drown you."
He gave her a sad, reproachful look, and then Amalia began to laugh, and embracing and kissing him effusively, she exclaimed:
"Don't be cross, poor little dear! Do not think I do not feel for you. The journey was very difficult. You bore it like a hero."
The count coloured at these praises. His conscience told him he did not deserve them; and he recollected the terrible ordeal that Amalia had herself passed through, and said:
"But you! What you must have suffered on your side! How are you? It was imprudent to go downstairs so soon."
"Oh! I am as strong as a horse, although I appear weak."
"So you seem to be. To suffer what you did without uttering a sound!"
"Pray, what can you know about it, stupid?" she said, putting a hand on his mouth.