"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 had any money left.
Slowly and painfully Barlasch unwound himself and disentangled his
legs. He tried first one and then the other, as if uncertain
whether he could walk. Then he staggered numbly across the yard to
the door of the inn.
A few minutes later Desiree woke up.
Pages:
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213