He stood before the main door of a house and it was wide open.

A great lantern, hung from a beam just inside, showed a doorway of some size and magnificence.

And below it stood a servant, an old man, who at the sight of the stranger advanced to hold his stirrup.
"Welcome, my lord," said the man.

"All is ready for you." The last hour had partially sobered the traveller, but, having now come safe to port, his drunkenness revived.

He saw nothing odd in the open door or the servant's greeting.