Mme. M⁠⸺ walked slowly, it was still a long way to the carriage, and my escort seemed to loiter on purpose as if he wished to detain me. “None of that!” I thought, and resolutely quickened my pace. But it soon became unmistakable that he was detaining me and even pressing my arm. Mme. M⁠⸺ turned a corner, and we were quite alone. I was afraid.