. But the
plantation, on the outskirts of what appeared to me a dense wood, was of
young trees, too closely planted to be more than slender stems growing
up to a good height, with scanty foliage on their summits. On I went
towards the thicker forest, and once there I slackened my pace, and
began to look about me for a good lair. I was as dainty as Lochiel's
grandchild, who made his grandsire indignant at the luxury of his pillow
of snow: this brake was too full of brambles, that felt damp with dew;
there was no hurry, since I had given up all hope of passing the night
between four walls; and I went leisurely groping about, and trusting
that there were no wolves to be poked up out of their summer drowsiness
by my stick, when all at once I saw a chateau before me, not a quarter
of a mile off, at the end of what seemed to be an ancient avenue (now
overgrown and irregular), which I happened to be crossing, when I looked
to my right, and saw the welcome sight. Large, stately, and dark was
its outline against the dusky night-sky; there were pepper-boxes and
tourelles and what-not fantastically going up into the dim starlight.
And more to the purpose still, though I could not see the details of the
building that I was now facing, it was plain enough that there were
lights in many windows, as if some great entertainment was going on.

"They are hospitable people, at any rate," thought I. "Perhaps they
will give me a bed. I don't suppose French proprietaires have traps and
horses quite as plentiful as English gentlemen; but they are evidently
having a large party, and some of their guests may be from Tours, and
will give me a cast back to the Lion d'Or. I am not proud, and I am
dog-tired. I am not above hanging on behind, if need be."

So, putting a little briskness and spirit into my walk, I went up to
the door, which was standing open, most hospitably, and showing a large
lighted hall, all hung round with spoils of the chase, armour, &c, the
details of which I had not time to notice, for the instant I stood on
the threshold a huge porter appeared, in a strange, old-fashioned dress,
a kind of livery which well befitted the general appearance of the house.
He asked me, in French (so curiously pronounced that I thought I had hit
upon a new kind of _patois_), my name, and whence I came. I thought he
would not be much the wiser, still it was but civil to give it before I
made my request for assistance; so, in reply, I said--

"My