"'There is no one here, my lord,' replied the man, 'but myself and my family; the castle is not inhabited.'
"'That's bad news,' said the count; 'but nevertheless, you can give me what I am most in need of, and that is—shelter for the night.'
"'Willingly,' said the man, 'if your lordship will put up with such accommodation as we can hastily prepare.'
"'So,' said the count, 'I alighted and walked in; and the old man unbarred the great gates to admit my carriages and people. We found ourselves in an immense couer, with the castle en face, and stables and offices on each side. As we had a fourgon with us, with provender for the cattle and provisions for ourselves, we wanted nothing but beds and a good fire; and as the only one lighted was in the old man's apartments, he first took us there. They consisted of a suite of small rooms in the left wing, that had probably been formerly occupied by the upper servants. They were comfortably furnished, and he and his large family appeared to be very well lodged. Besides the wife, there were three sons, with their wives and children, and two nieces; and in a part of the offices, where I saw a light, I was told there were labourers and women servants, for it was a valuable estate, with a fine forest, and the sons acted as gardes chasse.
"'Is there much game in the forest?' I asked.
"'A great deal of all sorts,' they answered.
"'Then I suppose during the season the family live here?'
"'Never,' they replied. 'None of the family ever reside here.'
"'Indeed!' I said; how is that? It seems a very fine place.'
"'Superb,' answered the wife of the custodian; 'but the castle is haunted.'