le
fresh horses were being put into harness, she was wide awake and
looked at Barlasch with a reckless laugh as he shook the rime from his
eyebrows. In response he frowningly scrutinized as much of her face as
he could see, and shook his head disapprovingly.

"You laugh when there is nothing to laugh at," he said grimly. "Foolish.
It makes people wonder what is in your mind."

"There is nothing in my mind," she answered gaily.

"Then there is something in your heart, and that is worse!" said
Barlasch, which made Desiree look at him doubtfully.

They had done forty miles with the same horses, and were nearly halfway.
For some hours the road had followed the course of the Vistula on the
high tableland above the river, and would so continue until they reached
Thorn.

"You must sleep," said Barlasch curtly, when they were once more on the
road. She sat silent beside him for an hour. The horses were fresh, and
covered the ground at a great pace. Barlasch was no driver, but he was
skilful with the horses, and husbanded their strength at every hill.

"If we go on like this, when shall we arrive?" asked Desiree suddenly.

"By eight o'clock, if all goes well."

"And we shall find Monsieur Louis d'Arragon awaiting us at Thorn?"

Barlasch shrugged his shoulders doubtfully.

"He said he would be there," he muttered, and, turning in his seat, he
looked down at her with some contempt.

"That is like a woman," he said. "They think all men are fools except
one, and that one is only to be compared with the bon Dieu."

Desiree could not have heard the remark, for she made no answer and sat
silent, leaning more and more heavily against her companion. He changed
the reins to his other hand, and drove with it for an hour after all
feeling had left it. Desiree was asleep. She was still sleeping when,
in the dim light of a late dawn, Barlasch saw the distant tower of Thorn
Cathedral.

They were no longer alone on the road now, but passed a number of heavy
market-sleighs bringing produce and wood to the town. Barlasch had been
in Thorn before. Desiree was still sleeping when he turned the horses
into the crowded yard of the "Drei Kronen." The sleighs and carriages
were packed side by side as in a warehouse, but the stables were empty.
No eager host came out to meet the travellers. The innkeepers of Thorn
had long ceased to give themselves that trouble. For the city was on the
direct route of the retreat, and few who got so far h