Asion had been found. The delights of a boot and shoe sale, of which
mademoiselle had received notice, reminded her of her intentions of
showing Barbara "that famous seaside resort," and after an early lunch
they set out for Dinard. "Business first," mademoiselle said on landing;
"we will hasten to the sale, and when I have made my purchases we will
stroll into the park, and then visit my friend." "If you don't mind I
will stay outside and watch the people," Barbara proposed, on reaching
the shop and seeing the crowds inside. "I won't stray from just near the
window, so you may leave me quite safely--and it looks so hot in there."
Her companion demurred for a moment, but finally agreed, and Barbara
with relief turned round to watch the people passing to and fro. Dinard
seemed very gay and fashionable, she thought, and there was quite a
number of English and Americans there. Surely in such a place one might
find a riding-school. There was a row of _fiacres_ quite close to the
pavement, and, seized by this new idea, she hurried up to one of the
drivers and asked him if he knew of any horses to be hired in the town.
She had feared her French might not be equal to the explanation, and was
very glad when he understood, and still more pleased to hear that there
was an excellent _manege_,[1] which many people visited. After inquiring
the name of the street, she returned to her shop window, longing for
mademoiselle to come out. Her patience was nearly exhausted when that
lady finally appeared, having bought nothing. "I tried on a great many
boots and some shoes," she explained, "and did not care for any. Indeed,
I really did not need new ones;
