a very puzzling youth."

The young man reddened with resentment and the Counsellor endeavoured
to turn the entire affair into merriment and laughter,--when the whole
party was suddenly alarmed by a violent knocking at the front door of
the house, that aroused even Edmond from his reverie. "For God's sake
let me in," roared a voice loudly from without, "open to me in the name
of heaven!"

At a sign from the Counsellor, who quickly recovered from his surprise,
the servants rushed forward, the company looked at one another in
silence, the bolts were withdrawn, and the tread of heavy footsteps was
heard approaching the hall; the doors were thrown open, and lighted by
the servants, a tall, powerfully-built figure with grey hair and
moustaches of the same hue entered, he held in his hand a massive
staff, that without exaggeration might be termed a club; a long, broad
sword trailed clanging after him, and four pistols were stuck, in a
black leather girdle. On his entrance he approached the host, and said
in a deep, sonorous voice, "Pardon me, my lord, the alarm I must have
caused you, I was benighted, pursued and in danger, therefore I
ventured, certainly rather unceremoniously, to claim the shelter of
your house."

"Oh heavens, it is the terrible hermit!" exclaimed the miller in a
hoarse voice, "I am he, indeed," replied the gigantic figure, "but why
terrible, my young simpleton? I may surely be permitted to show my face
every where, presumptuous fellow; and I have shown it before other
physiognomies than yours.--Your pardon! Sir Baron, if I give way to my
displeasure at the presumption of this hireling. Yes, reverend sir, I
am he, who under the name of the hermit is not unknown in this part of
the country; in this character I wished to do homage to my God, but an
envious fate thwarts me. To-day my troop has been entirely dispersed,
and I have only saved my own life through the greatest exertions, for I
was pursued even in the darkness of the night; my enemies cannot be far
off, my life is forfeited, if you refuse me your protection."

"All I possess," said the Counsellor, "is at your service, my house, my
servants and myself will protect you as far as we are able,
independently of the claims of humanity; my duty to my king and country
demand this."

"You are an honourable man," replied the giant, "such as I had every
reason to expect."--At his invitation, he sat down by the side of the
master of the house to partake of