“Scarcely a league, if you can hit upon the right path; the road lies yonder, where you see that dead fir-tree.”
“I thank you, sir,” said I, touching my hat; “and must now ask my friend here to release me,—my orders are of moment.”
“You may find some difficulty in the wood, after all,” said he; “I 'll send my groom part of the way with you.”
Before I could proffer my thanks suitably for such an unexpected politeness, he had disappeared in the garden through which he entered a few minutes before.
“I say, my worthy friend, tell me the name of that gentleman; he's one of the Emperor's staff, if I mistake not. I 'm certain I 've seen the face before.”
“If you had,” said the old fellow, laughing, “you could scarcely forget him; old Frantzerl is just the same these twenty years.”
“Whom did you say?”
Before he could reply, the other was at my side.
“Now, sir,” said he, “he will conduct you to the highroad. I wish you a good journey.”
These words were uttered in a tone somewhat more haughty than his previous ones; and contenting myself with a civil acknowledgment of his attention, I bowed and returned to my horse, which the little peasant child had been holding.