One night towards eleven o'clock they were awakened by the noise of a horse pulling up outside their door.

The servant opened the garret-window and parleyed for some time with a man in the street below.
He came for the doctor, had a letter for him.

Natasie came downstairs shivering and undid the bars and bolts one after the other.

The man left his horse, and, following the servant, suddenly came in behind her.

He pulled out from his wool cap with grey top-knots a letter wrapped up in a rag and presented it gingerly to Charles, who rested on his elbow on the pillow to read it.