"I found Gabriel waiting for me. The poor fellow was trembling much more than I was; he had the conventional cloak, but his head was almost invisible in an enormous hat like those worn by the porters at the market; it crushed him, made him look small and insignificant, and was not at all the style of headgear that I had hoped to see on my abductor. And, to cap the climax, he still carried in his right hand that miserable switch which had already caused me so much vexation of spirit.
"He came to meet me, and stammered something or other. I took possession of his arm, saying:
"'Let us make haste, we may be followed. Where's the post chaise?'
"'The post chaise? There isn't any. You didn't mention a post chaise.'
"'I thought that you would understand that. Where are you going to take me, then?'
"'Oh! never fear! I have engaged a lodging. Come.'
"I followed where he led. But I could not help saying to him:
"'That's a horribly ugly hat!'
"'Why, mademoiselle, it has a turned-down brim.'
"'So I see! but it's too much of a good thing. You ought to have a hat such as they wore under Louis XIII, with a feather curled round it. You look like a miller.'