"Are you going to walk?" asked Armantine, looking at me.
"It looks rather like it," replied Frédérique.
"Will you allow me to go with you? As I don't know the country at all, I am very glad to find guides."
"You have the right to come with us. But I warn you that I am a good walker, and Charles and I take very long walks."
"Oh! I can walk very well!—Besides, if I get tired, I fancy that monsieur will kindly give me his arm."
"It will be at your service, madame," I replied, with cold courtesy.
But Frédérique, who had my arm at that moment, instantly dropped it, saying:
"In the country, people walk singly; that's the most convenient way."
I looked at her in surprise, for we were not accustomed to walk so.
We started again. Armantine went into ecstasies over the scenery; she kept exclaiming every minute: