On clambering up the bank again and returning to the carriage, No. 3 found Antonio extended upon the box, face downwards, wrapped in heavy slumber, that even her advent did not disturb; and he only sprang up hastily, seizing his reins, at the sound of her voice.
Antonio had shown signs of nodding ever since the mid-day halt, and an unworthy suspicion of drink had seized upon our minds.
"You are sleepy to-day," remarked No. 3, severely.
"Si, mademoiselle," was the curt reply.
"Is it the heat?" she demanded, without abating the severity of her tone.
"Si. And being up all last night."
"Up all last night!" she repeated, mollified at once. "How did that happen?"
"A party in Ajaccio had to be driven into the Campagne late last night, and I only got home at six this morning. Then I got a message from the padron to tell me you wanted me for half-past seven. So I had to see after your carriage and horses at once."
Poor Antonio! No wonder he was sleepy. We soon became convinced that he was the most abstemious of men; but it was no rare event for him to be out driving all night, and at work again all day without rest.
"They give the horses more rest than you," I said.