"Eight horses! for that light vehicle? It looks much as if you were trying to make your escape, and were sore pressed to move on."
"I am, indeed, sorely pressed," said she, in tones of distress; "hasten, I implore of you, hasten!"
"You cannot have them before half an hour," said he, turning on his heel, and re-entering the house.
The countess now called to one of her footmen: "Go, see if we can have a room and some breakfast."
The man obeyed, but returned almost immediately, with a most embarrassed expression.
"They have no vacant room, and say that your highness need not trouble yourself to leave the carriage, in search of lodgings, were it even for five minutes."
"Then go and bring us each a cup of chocolate," replied the countess, with a sigh.
The footman renewed his petition, and this time returned, accompanied by a woman, who, in angry haste, approached the unhappy fugitives:
"You are the Countess de Soissons?" asked she, with a bold stare.
"Yes, madame, I am; and I hope you will do me the favor to serve us a cup of chocolate."