He told me he had been lifted suddenly off his horse and flung so violently to the ground that he could not discover how the thing was done.

His feet left the stirrups, which was lucky, for he might have been killed by the horse dragging him.

We put him in charge of Michu and Violette--" "Michu! is Michu in his own house ?" said Corentin, glancing at Laurence.
The countess smiled ironically, like a woman obtaining her revenge.
"He is bargaining with Violette about the sale of some land," said the lieutenant.

"They seemed to me drunk; and it's no wonder, for they have been drinking all night and discussing the matter, and they haven't come to terms yet." "Did Violette tell you so ?" cried Corentin.
"Yes," said the lieutenant.
"Nothing is right if we don't attend to it ourselves!" cried Peyrade, looking at Corentin, who doubted the lieutenant's news as much as the other did.
"At what hour did you get to Michu's house ?" asked Corentin, noticing that the countess had glanced at the clock.
"About two," replied the lieutenant.
Laurence covered Monsieur and Madame d'Hauteserre and the abbe and his sister in one comprehensive glance, which made them fancy they were wrapped in an azure mantle; triumph sparkled in her eyes, she blushed, and the tears welled up beneath her lids.

Strong under all misfortunes, the girl knew not how to weep except from joy.