"
In effect, after a very few minutes the chariot was seen approaching,
and presently rolled into the open space. Zerbine, who sat in front,
glanced composedly at the little group of men and mules standing there,
without betraying any surprise at seeing them.
"By Jove! those are fine beasts yonder," exclaimed the tyrant, "splendid
Spanish mules, especially that foremost one; they can easily do their
fifteen or twenty leagues a day, I'll venture, and if we were mounted on
the like we should soon find ourselves in Paris. But what the devil are
they doing in this lonely place? it must be a relay, waiting for some
rich seignior travelling this way."
"No," said the duenna, "that foremost mule is intended for a lady--don't
you see the cushions and housings?"
"In that case," he replied, "there must be an abduction in the wind;
those two equerries, in gray liveries, certainly have a very mysterious,
knowing sort of an air."
"Perhaps you are right," said Zerbine, demurely, with a significant
little smile and shrug.
"Can it be possible that the lady is among us?" asked Scapin; "one of
the men is coming this way by himself, as if he desired to parley before
resorting to violence."
"Oh! there'll be no need," said Serafina, casting a scornful glance at
the soubrette, who returned it with interest.
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