In
the darkness I fell, and rose cursing; I tore my hands
with thorns; I stained my suit, which had suffered sadly
once before. At length, when I had almost resigned
myself to lie in the wood, I caught sight of the lights
of the village, and, trembling between haste and anger,
pressed towards them. In a few minutes I stood in the
little street.
The lights of the inn shone only fifty yards away; but
before I could show myself even there pride suggested
that I should do something to repair my clothes. I
stopped, and scraped and brushed them; and, at the same
time, did what I could to compose my features. Then I
advanced to the door and knocked. Almost on the instant
the landlord's voice cried from the inside, 'Enter,
Monsieur!'
I raised the latch and went in. The man was alone,
squatting over the fire warming his hands. A black pot
simmered on the ashes, As I entered he raised the lid
and peeped inside. Then he glanced over his shoulder.
'You expected me?' I said defiantly, walking to the
hearth, and setting one of my damp boots on the logs.
'Yes,' he answered, nodding curtly.
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