and corn, that would feed one of Holkerstein's garrisons through
two sieges, I know what to think of him who has saved them scot-free. He that
serves a robber must do it on a robber's terms. To such bargains there goes but
one word; and that is the robber's. But come, man, I am not thy judge. Only I
would have my soldiers on their guard at one of Holkerstein's outposts. And
thee, farmer, I would have to remember that an Emperor's grace may yet stand
thee in stead, when a robber is past helping thee to a rope.«
    The soldiers laughed, but took their officer's hint to watch the motions of
a man whose immunity from spoil, in circumstances so tempting to a military
robber's cupidity, certainly argued some collusion with Holkerstein.
    The Lady Paulina had passed on during this dialogue into an inner room,
hoping to have found the quiet and the warmth which were now become so needful
to her repose. But the antique stove was too much out of repair to be used with
benefit; the wood-work was decayed, and admitted currents of cold air; and,
above all, from the slightness of the partitions, the noise and tumult in a
house occupied by soldiers and travellers proved so incessant that, after taking
refreshments with her attendants, she resolved to adjourn for the night to her
coach; which afforded much superior resources, both in warmth and in freedom
from noise.
    The carriage of the Countess was one of those which had been posted at an
angle of the encampment, and on that side terminated the line of defences; for a
deep mass of wood, which commenced where the carriages ceased, seemed to present
a natural protection on that side against the approach of cavalry; in reality,
from the quantity of tangled roots and the inequalities of the ground, it
appeared difficult for a single horseman to advance even a few yards without
falling. And upon this side it had been judged sufficient to post a single
sentinel.
    Assured by the many precautions adopted, and by the cheerful language of the
officer on guard, who attended her to the carriage door, Paulina, with one
attendant, took her seat in the coach, where she had the means of fencing
herself sufficiently from the cold by the weighty robes of minever and ermine
which her ample wardrobe afforded; and the large dimensions of the coach enabled
her to turn it to the use of a sofa or couch.
    Youth and health sleep well; and, with all the means and appliances of