Page:Popular Tales and Romances of the Northern Nations (Volume 2).djvu/67

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
The Spectre Barber.
55

well, to-night, that my departure may not disturb your rest in the morning.”

“Do as you choose,” said the knight, “but you shall not leave my house till I am up, and have seen you refreshed by a morning’s repast; and then I will accompany you to the gates, and part with you according to the custom of my house.”

Frank needed no commentary to explain these words. He would willingly have dispensed with the last civilities of his landlord, but he did not seem disposed to depart from the usual ceremonies. He ordered the servants to shew the stranger into the bed chamber, and soon Frank was safely deposited in an excellent bed of down. Before he fell asleep, he could not help confessing to himself, that such a lordly entertainment was not too dearly bought, by a moderate beating. Pleasant dreams took possession of his imagination. He saw his beloved Mela, walking about among roses with her mother, gathering the beautiful flowers, and he quickly concealed himself behind a thick hedge, not to be seen