they were eating sandwiches on the carriage rug with which they had

been covering their knees. Louise Violaine had got down from her

basket carriage and had joined Caroline Hequet. On the turf at

their feet some gentlemen had instituted a drinking bar, whither

Tatan, Maria, Simonne and the rest came to refresh themselves, while

high in air and close at hand bottles were being emptied on Lea de

Horn's mail coach, and, with infinite bravado and gesticulation, a

whole band were making themselves tipsy in the sunshine, above the