The intervening time could well be occupied as he said.

Leading the horses by the bridle, while they dragged the empty carriage, we proceeded through the heavy woods.

The tall pines, the stalwart oaks, the cypress scattered here and there, made the evening darker overhead.

Beneath our feet spread a carpet of scattered herbs, pine needles and dead leaves.

Such was the thickness of the upper foliage that the last rays of the setting sun could no longer penetrate here.