I enquired of the host, who the lady was, that had just departed.

“A German baroness, Monsieur, of great rank and fortune. She has been upon a visit to the duchess of Longueville, as her servants informed me; she is going to Strasbourg, where she will find her husband, and then both return to their castle in Germany.”

I resumed my journey, intending to reach Strasbourg that night. My hopes, however were frustrated by the breaking down of my chaise. The accident happened in the middle of a thick forest, and I was not a little embarrassed as to the means of proceeding.

It was the depth of winter: the night was already closing round us; and Strasbourg, which was the nearest town, was still distant from us several leagues. It seemed to me that my only alternative to passing the night in the forest, was to take my servant’s horse and ride on to Strasbourg, an undertaking at that season very far from agreeable. However, seeing no other resource, I was obliged to make up my mind to it. Accordingly I communicated my design to the postillion, telling him that I would send people to assist him as soon as I reached Strasbourg. I had not much confidence in his honesty; but Stephano being well-armed, and the driver to all appearance considerably advanced in years, I believed I ran no danger of losing my baggage.

Luckily, as I then thought, an opportunity presented itself of passing the night more agreeably than I expected. On mentioning my design of proceeding by myself to Strasbourg, the postillion shook his head in disapprobation.