It  was  drawn  by  a  magnificent  bay  horse  of  Irish  breed,
short-tailed,  and  plump,  which  was  driven  by  the  same
man  whom  we  have  already  heard  addressed  by  the  name
of  Weber.  The  horse  had  become  so  impatient  with  wait-
ing, that  it  was  with  some  difficulty  that  Weber  kept
him  stationary.
When  he  saw  the  ladies,  he  said,  "  Madame,  I  intended
to  bring  Scipio,  who  is  gentle  and  easy  to  manage,  but
unluckily  he  received  an  injury  .last  evening,  and  I  was
forced  to  bring  Belus,  and  he  is  rather  unmanageable."

"  Oh,  Weber,  I  do  not  mind  in  the  least,"  said  the
lady  ;  "  I  am  -well  used  to  driving,  and  not  at  all  timid."

"  I  know  how  well  niadame  drives,  but  the  roads  are  so
bad.  Where  are  we  to  go  ?  "

"  To  Versailles."

"  By  the  boulevards  then,  madame  ?  "

"  No,  Weber  ;  it  freezes  hard,  and  the  boulevards  will
be  dreadful  ;  the  streets  will  be  better."


THE  QUEEN'S  NECKLACE.  5£

He  held  the  horse  for  the  ladies  to  get  in,  then  jumped
up  behind,  and  they  set  off  at  a  rapid  pace.
"Well,  Andree,  what  do  you  think  of  the  countess?"
asked  the  elder  lady.
