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Forgive me； Lorenzo； if I seem tedious in my narration。 The close
connexion which now exists between us； makes me anxious that you
should know every particular respecting me； and in my fear of
omitting the least circumstance which may induce you to think
favourably of your Sister and myself； I may possibly relate many
which you may think uninteresting。
I followed the Duke's advice； I was soon convinced of its wisdom。
I quitted Spain； calling myself by the assumed title of Don
Alphonso d'Alvarada； and attended by a single Domestic of
approved fidelity。 Paris was my first station。 For some time I
was enchanted with it； as indeed must be every Man who is young；
rich； and fond of pleasure。 Yet among all its gaieties； I felt
that something was wanting to my heart。 I grew sick of
dissipation： I discovered； that the People among whom I lived；
and whose exterior was so polished and seducing； were at bottom
frivolous； unfeeling and insincere。 I turned from the
Inhabitants of Paris with disgust； and quitted that Theatre of
Luxury without heaving one sigh of regret。
I now bent my course towards Germany； intending to visit most of
the principal courts： Prior to this expedition； I meant to make
some little stay at Strasbourg。 On quitting my Chaise at
Luneville to take some refreshment； I observed a splendid
Equipage； attended by four Domestics in rich liveries； waiting at
the door of the Silver Lion。 Soon after as I looked out of the
window； I saw a Lady of noble presence； followed by two female
Attendants； step into the Carriage； which drove off immediately。
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。
'It is a long way；' said He； 'You will find it a difficult matter
to arrive there without a Guide。 Besides； Monsieur seems
unaccustomed to the season's severity； and 'tis possible that
unable to sustain the excessive cold。 。 。 。'
'What use is there to present me with all these objections？' said
I； impatiently interrupting him； 'I have no other resource： I
run still greater risque of perishing with cold by passing the
night in the Forest。'
'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 Wood…cutter； 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 Wood…man'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 any
one answered； The People within seemed in doubt whether we should
be admitted。
'Come！ Come； Friend Baptiste！' cried the Driver with impatience；
'What are you about？ Are you asleep？ Or will you refuse a
night's lodging to a Gentleman； whose Chaise has just broken down
in the Forest？'
'Ah！ is it you； honest Claude？' replied a Man's voice from
within； 'Wait a moment； and the door shall be opened。'
Soon after the bolts were drawn back。 The door was unclosed； and
a Man presented himself to us with a Lamp in his hand。 He gave
the Guide an hearty reception； and then addressed himself to me。
'Walk in； Monsieur； Walk in； and welcome！ Excuse me for not
admitting you at first： But there are so many Rogues about this
place； that saving your presence； I suspected you to be one。'
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 re…seating herself； continued the
work on which She had been employed。 Her Husband's manners were
as friendly as hers were harsh and repulsive。
'I wish； I could lodge you more conveniently； Monsieur；' said He；
'But we cannot boast of much spare room in this hovel。 However；
a chamber for yourself； and another for your Servant； I think； we
can make shift to supply。 You must content yourself with sorry
fare； But to what we have； believe me； you are heartily welcome。'
Then turning to his wife'Why； how you sit there；
Marguerite； with as much tranquillity as if you had nothing
better to do！ Stir about； Dame！ Stir about！ Get some supper；
Look out some sheets； Here； here； throw some logs upon the fire；
for the Gentleman seems perished with cold。'
The Wife threw her work hastily upon the Table； and proceeded to
execute his commands with every mark of unwillingness。 Her
countenance had displeased me on the first moment of my examining
it。 Yet upon the whole her features were handsome
unquestionably； But her skin was sallow； and her person thin and
meagre； A louring gloom over…spread her countenance； and it bore
such visible marks of rancour and ill…will； as could not escape
being noticed by the most inattentive Observer。 Her every look
and action expressed discontent and impatience； and the answers
which She gave Baptiste； when He reproached her good…humouredly
for her dissatisfied air； were tart； short； and cutting。 In
fine； I conceived at first sight equal disgust for her； and
prepossession in favour of her Husband； whose appearance was
calculated to inspire esteem and confidence。 His countenance was
open； sincere； and friendly； his manners had all the Peasant's
honesty unaccompanied by his rudeness； His cheeks were broad；
full； and ruddy； and in the solidity of his person He seemed to
offer an ample apology for the leanness of his Wife's。 From the
wrinkles on his brow I judged him to be turned of sixty； But He
bore his years well； and seemed still hearty and strong： The Wife
could not be more than thirty； but in spirits and vivacity She
was infinitely older than the Husband。
However； in spite of her unwillingness；