"All right," said K. I.; "I turned the leaders short round and saved us!" and with that he began tearing and dragging us out. I fell into a swoon after this, and know no more of what happened. When I came to myself, I was in a small hut, lying on a bed of chestnut leaves, and the place crowded with peasants and postilions.
"There 's no mischief done, mamma," said Cary. "Paddy swam the leaders across beautifully, for the traces snapped at once, and, except the fright, we 're nothing the worse."
"Where's Mary Anne?" said I.
"Talking to the gentleman who assisted us—outside—some friend of Lord George's, I believe, for he is with him."
Just as she said this, in comes Mary Anne with Lord George and his friend.
"Oh, mamma," says she, in a whisper, "you don't know who it is,—the Prince himself."
"Ah, been and done it, marm," said he, addressing me with his glass in his eye.
"What, sir?" said I.
"Taken a 'header,' they tell me, eh? Glad there's no harm done."
"His Serene Highness hopes you 'll not mind it, mamma," said Mary Anne.