314 Life of Coiint Rumford. 



words. I had been indisposed for several days, but said nothing 

 about it, from the childish, foolish idea that I should be, as I 

 termed it, dosed. From the same childishness, because I was 

 fond of going on horseback, I came out when I ought to have 

 stayed at home ; and from being in a restrained posture and 

 among strangers, it naturally made me worse. In short, I grew 

 .so bad I thought I was dying, and told the Count I wished to 

 get off the horse. While he was dismounting and making 

 signs to the groom to approach, without his perceiving it I 

 slipped my foot out of the stirrup, and took hold of the saddle 

 to let myself down, but before I could do it my senses had left 

 me ; so that when Taxis turned his head, it was not to see me 

 on the seat, but prostrate on the ground. There was the 

 greater cause for alarm from his supposing I had fallen, instead 

 of letting myself down, and that my fainting was owing, most 

 likely, to some hurt. The first thing I realized, on coming to 

 my senses, was Taxis and the groom exceedingly frightened, 

 lifting me about, not knowing what to do with me. It would 

 be difficult to describe the expression of their faces when they 

 found me alive instead of dead, as they owned they much 

 fcared ; supposing me to have received some great, and perhaps 

 fatal, blow from the fall. They were likewise much rejoiced 

 on my giving particulars, and assuring them I was not in the 

 least hurt. The groom thought he should never dare to see 

 my father again, had anything terrible happened to his daughter 

 while in part under his care. The expressions of Count Taxis 

 were more refined, as may be imagined. He showed such feel- 

 ing and friendship on the occasion, I own it impressed me with 

 the most lively gratitude and friendship for him. He thought 

 best to let the groom go in search of my father, who soon 

 joined us, when we all returned safely together. 



" As under absolute governments distinction of classes is 

 observed, so that between the General and his aids is not 

 forgotten. My father, in coming to the door after our ride, 

 with a familiar nod of the head, without asking them to enter, 

 dismissed his aids. But Taxis, as it appeared, went straight to 

 the Countess, giving her information of the bad success of our 



