He placed her on a doorstep, and supported her in a sitting position, Pierre standing by.

A minute later a group of men came hurrying down the street.
"What is it ?" one of the group asked, as he stopped for a moment.
"It is only a woman, squeamish," Pierre said in a rough voice.

"She would come with us, thinking she could pick up a trinket or two; but, ma foi, it is hot down there, and she turned sick.

So we are taking her home." Satisfied with the explanation, the men hurried on.
"Shall I carry her, Pierre?
Her weight would be nothing." "Better wait a few minutes, Monsieur Philip, and see if she comes round.

Our story is right enough, as long as we stop here; but people might want to know more, if they were to meet you carrying a woman." Some minutes passed, and then, finding that Claire remained unconscious, Philip lifted her on to his shoulder.
"We will risk it, Pierre.