“And in the name of God,” said I, “how could you leave me so long in suspense? Why did you not tell me of this cottage sooner? What excessive stupidity!”

“I thought that perhaps Monsieur would not deign to accept.⁠ ⁠…”

“Absurd! Come, come! Say no more, but conduct us without delay to the woodman’s cottage.”

He obeyed, and we moved onwards: the horses contrived with some difficulty to drag the shattered vehicle after us. My servant was become almost speechless, and I began to feel the effects of the cold myself, before we reached the wished-for cottage. It was a small but neat building: as we drew near it, I rejoiced at observing through the window the blaze of a comfortable fire. Our conductor knocked at the door: it was some time before anyone answered; the people within seemed in doubt whether we should be admitted.