Now, Mademoiselle, do you feel courage and strength to appear ?" I said, I thought I did; though, in truth, I was perfectly confused, and could hardly tell how I felt: but this little man was of the order of beings who must not be opposed, unless you possessed an all-dominant force sufficient to crush him at once.
"Come then," said he, offering his hand.
I gave him mine, and he set off with a rapid walk, which obliged me to run at his side in order to keep pace.

In the carre he stopped a moment: it was lit with large lamps; the wide doors of the classes were open, and so were the equally wide garden-doors; orange-trees in tubs, and tall flowers in pots, ornamented these portals on each side; groups of ladies and gentlemen in evening-dress stood and walked amongst the flowers.

Within, the long vista of the school-rooms presented a thronging, undulating, murmuring, waving, streaming multitude, all rose, and blue, and half translucent white.

There were lustres burning overhead; far off there was a stage, a solemn green curtain, a row of footlights.
"Nest-ce pas que c'est beau ?" demanded my companion.
I should have said it was, but my heart got up into my throat.

M.Paul discovered this, and gave me a side-scowl and a little shake for my pains.
"I will do my best, but I wish it was over," said I; then I asked: "Are we to walk through that crowd ?" "By no means: I manage matters better: we pass through the garden--here." In an instant we were out of doors: the cool, calm night revived me somewhat.