-concluded his prayer, and detaching his
crucifix from the wall, he kissed it reverently, and placed it in his
bosom; then, rising slowly from his knees, he turned towards me. A
slight start of surprise, as quickly followed by a smile of kindly
greeting, escaped him, while he said in French,--

"You are welcome, my son; come in and share with me the shelter, for it
is a wild night."

"A wild night, indeed, Father," said I, casting my eyes around the
little hut, where nothing indicated the appearance of habitation.
"I could have wished you a better home than this against the storms of
winter."

"I am a traveller like yourself," said he, smiling at my mistake; "and a
countryman, too, if I mistake not."

The accents in which these words were spoken pronounced him a Frenchman,
and a very little sufficed to ratify the terms of our companionship; and
having thrown a fresh billet on the fire, we both seated ourselves
before it My wallet was, fortunately, better stored than the good
father's; and having produced its contents, we supped cheerfully, and
like men who were not eating their first bivouac meal.

"I perceive, Father," said I, as I remarked the manner in which he
disposed his viands, "I perceive you have campaigned ere now; the habits
of the service are not easily mistaken."

"I did not need that observation of yours," replied he, laughing
slightly, "to convince me you were a soldier; for, as you truly say,
the camp leaves its indelible traces behind it. You are hastening on to
Berlin, I suppose?"

I blushed deeply at the question; the shame of my changed condition had
been hitherto confined to my own heart, but now it was to be confessed
before a stranger.

"I ask your pardon, my son, for a question I had no right to ask; and
even there, again, I but showed my soldier education. I am returning to
France; and in seeking a short path from Eisenach, found myself where
you see; as night was falling, well content to be so well lodged,--all
the more, if I am to have your companionship."

Few and simple as these words were, there was a tone of frankness in
them, not less than the evidence of a certain good breeding, by which
he apologized for his own curiosity in speaking thus freely of
himself, that satisfied me at once; and I hastened to inform him that
circumstances had induced me to leave the service, in which I had been a
captain, and that I was now, like himself, returning to France.

"You must not think,