Mademoiselle Cerise sprang to her feet and ran forward.

Jacques put out his hand to stop her, and Gaston caught her shoulder.

"He's wicked with strangers," Gaston said.

"Chat!" she rejoined, stepped quickly to the horse's head and, laughing, put out her hand to stroke him.

Jacques caught the beast's nose, and stopped a lunge of the great white teeth.
"Enough, madame, he will kill you!" "Yet I am beautiful--is it not so ?" "The poor beast is ver' blind." "A pretty compliment," she rejoined, yet angry at the beast.
Gaston came, took the animal's head in his hands, and whispered.