e 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