“No, madame,” murmured Jean, astonished into obedience; “the next.”
She quickened her steps almost to a run.
“And how could you allow him to go alone? You knew, did you not, that he was put into your charge?”
He hesitated.
“Madame sees that when Monsieur Raoul jumped out there was the pony and the carriage to see to; and the pony began to be wicked, as he sometimes is. Madame de Beaudrillart would have been very much displeased if anything had happened to the pony, and I was going as fast as I could to fetch some one when I met Mademoiselle Claire, who stopped me to inquire, and would hear it all—”
“Yes, I understand,” said Nathalie, curbing her anguish by an effort, though still hastening along. “I understand perfectly, and I do not think you were to blame.” But under her breath Jean heard her cry, “Oh, Raoul, Raoul!”
The boy had a sudden impulse.
“If I were madame,” he said, shyly, “I should have no fear. Monsieur Raoul is so clever, he will find his way.”
He would not have ventured to offer consolation to any other of the family, but no one stood upon ceremony with Mme. Léon, and his momentary awe was subsiding. She was no longer angry, but she did not answer, and he made no further remark until he indicated a spot on their right.
“It was there that Monsieur Raoul went down.”