Soon Mme Hugon proposed that they should step down through a little doorway below the terrace and take a walk on foot in the direction of Gumieres and as far as the Choue.

She was fond of walking and, considering her threescore years, was very active.
Besides, all her guests declared that there was no need to drive.

So in a somewhat straggling order they reached the wooden bridge over the river.

Fauchery and Daguenet headed the column with the Muffat ladies and were followed by the count and the marquis, walking on either side of Mme Hugon, while Vandeuvres, looking fashionable and out of his element on the highroad, marched in the rear, smoking a cigar.

M.Venot, now slackening, now hastening his pace, passed smilingly from group to group, as though bent on losing no scrap of conversation.
"To think of poor dear Georges at Orleans!" said Mme Hugon.