“Passing the night in the forest?” he replied; “Oh! by

St.

Denis! We are not in quite so bad a plight as that comes to yet. If I am not mistaken, we are scarcely five minutes walk from the cottage of my old friend, Baptiste. He is a woodcutter, and a very honest fellow. I doubt not but he will shelter you for the night with pleasure. In the meantime I can take the saddle-horse, ride to Strasbourg, and be back with proper people to mend your carriage by break of day.”

“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.”