Thus saying, he ushered me into the room, where I had observed the fire: I was immediately placed in an easy chair, which stood close to the hearth. A female, whom I supposed to be the wife of my host, rose from her seat upon my entrance, and received me with a slight and distant reverence. She made no answer to my compliment, but immediately reseating herself, continued the work on which she had been employed. Her husband’s manners were as friendly as hers were harsh and repulsive.