"Do help me out," said Bidiane; "my feet are quite wet."
Agapit uttered a confused, smothered exclamation, and, stooping over, seized her firmly by the shoulders, and drew her out from the clinging embrace of Sleeping Water.
"I never saw such a river," said Bidiane, shaking herself like a small wet dog, and avoiding her lover's shocked glance. "It is just like jelly."
"Come up to the house," he ejaculated.
"No, no; it would only frighten Rose. She is getting to dislike this river, for people talk so much against it. I will go home."
"Then let me put you on Turenne's back," said Agapit, pointing to his horse as he stood curiously regarding them.
"No, I might fall off—I have had enough frights for to-night," and she shuddered. "I shall run home. I never take cold. Ma foi! but it is good to be out of that slippery mud."
Agapit hurried along beside her. "How did it happen?"
"I was just going to cross the bridge. The river looked so sleepy and quiet, and so like a mirror, that I wondered if I could see my face, if I bent close to it. I stepped on the bank, and it gave way under me, and then I fell in; and to save myself from being sucked down I clung to the bridge, and waited for you to come, for I didn't seem to have strength to drag myself out."