"That is a long story, too, and my wife would much rather hear yours than listen to it.

She has not yet recovered from the events of this morning.

But we will wait until we are at the village.

We have left the forest behind us, and another half hour will take us to Stromoff, where we can get pretty good accommodation." The horses, a splendid pair of animals, had, during their passage through the forest, shown every sign of fear; starting nervously, swerving, and going in sharp, sudden rushes, and always needing a constant strain on the reins to keep them from bolting.

Once away from the trees, however, they settled down into a fast trot, and the seven miles to Stromoff were done in less than half an hour.
No sooner did the landlord of the inn learn the name of his guest, than he, his wife, and sons bustled about in the greatest haste to make things comfortable for them.