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dow the blaze of a comfortable fire. Our conductor knocked at the door: it was some time before any one answered; the people within seemed in doubt whether we should be admitted.
"Come, come, friend Baptiste!" cried the driver with impatience, "what are you about? Are you asleep? Or will you refuse a night's lodging to a gentleman, whose chaise has just broken down in the forest?"
"Ah! is it you, honest Claude?" replied a man's voice from within: "wait a moment, and the door shall be opened."
Soon after the bolts were drawn back; the door was unclosed, and a man presented himself to us with a lamp in his hand: he gave the guide an hearty reception, and then addressed himself to me:
"Walk in, monsieur; walk in, and welcome. Excuse me for not admitting you at first; but there are so many rogues about this place that, saving your presence, I suspected you to be one."
Thus saying, he ushered me into theroom
