She always drives home with me." This was true.

But if I had been talking to Raoul, I would perhaps have given the dear old woman her first experience of being sent off by herself.

In that case, she would not have minded, for she likes Raoul, admires him as a "dream of a young man," and already suspected what I hadn't yet told her--that we were engaged.

But with Count Godensky forced upon me as a companion, I would not for any consideration have parted with Marianne.
Three or four minutes after starting I was giving instructions to my chauffeur where to stop, and almost immediately afterwards Godensky appeared.

He got in and took the place at my left, Marianne, silent, but doubtless astonished, facing us on the little front seat.
"Now," I exclaimed.