The horses were quickly harnessed to
the carriage, which was well filled with trunks; and scarcely had it
reached the front door, when the count hurried down the grand
staircase, thickly wrapped in his riding-furs. At his right sat a
little boy of scarcely ten years, a velvet cap, trimmed with fur,
upon his short, fair hair; the slender, graceful form concealed with
a long velvet cloak, that fell down as far as the shoes with golden,
jewelled buckles.
Count Frotte seemed to bestow special care and attention upon this
boy, for he not only had him sit on his right, but remained standing
near the door, to give precedence to the boy, and then hastened to
follow him. He pressed the servants back who stood near the open
door, bowed respectfully, and gave his hand to the lad to assist him
in ascending. The youth received these tokens of respect quietly,
and seemed to take it as a matter of course that Count Frotte should
carefully put furs around his feet and body, in order to protect him
from every draft. As soon as this was done, the count entered the
carriage, and took his place at the left of the boy. The servant
closed the carriage-door with a loud slam, and the steward advanced
with respectful mien, and asked whither the count would order to go.
"The road to Puy," said the count, with a loud voice, and the
steward repeated to the postilion just as loudly and clearly, "The
road to Puy.
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