Besides, after all She is only cross, and not malicious.

The worst is, that her affection for two children by a former Husband makes her play the Step-mother with my two Sons.
She cannot bear the sight of them, and by her good-will they would never set a foot within my door.

But on this point I always stand firm, and never will consent to abandon the poor Lads to the world's mercy, as She has often solicited me to do.

In every thing else I let her have her own way; and truly She manages a family rarely, that I must say for her.' We were conversing in this manner, when our discourse was interrupted by a loud halloo, which rang through the Forest.
'My Sons, I hope!' exclaimed the Wood-man, and ran to open the door.
The halloo was repeated: We now distinguished the trampling of Horses, and soon after a Carriage, attended by several Cavaliers stopped at the Cottage door.

One of the Horsemen enquired how far they were still from Strasbourg.