32 A MONTH IN THE FORESTS OF FRANCE. 



to take the three francs agreed upon, and, on my re- 

 fusing to give him more, he seized my cloak in lieu 

 of the money. Now it happened that I had an im- 

 mense affection for that old cloak. I had it when in 

 the Coldstream Guards ; and after that it had shel- 

 tered me and my white charger when in command of 

 a picked squadron of yeomanry. It had protected 

 too, in cases of emergency, from land as well as sea- 

 breezes, the fairest of the fair ; and to have a rude 

 and dirty hand in violence upon it was more than 

 I could very well bear. A crowd of blackguards 

 looked delighted when the cabman seized it; but their 

 approbation suddenly changed to my side, when I 

 said, " If you don't let go, I '11 hit your head." Some- 

 thing looked as if it was about to follow these words, 

 so my coachman loosened his hold, and fled out of 

 arm's reach (alas ! I knew nothing of what a blow 

 might cost me then) ; so, laughing at his terror, I 

 further established myself in the good will of the 

 cads, by calling the discomfited hero back and tossing 

 him a franc, on the stipulated condition that he would 

 use his horses well. 



And now for my ticket from Paris to Nevers, and 

 for the old chateau of my friend, M. d'Anchald. 



