"And this lonely road, too!" she continued. "Heaven send, we meet no foot-pads!"
"Heaven send, we meet nothing worse," I thought, for our road skirted a bit of the prince bishop's forest, and I knew the wolves were very bold at times. I listened with all my ears, and almost thought I heard their long-drawn howls in the depths of the wood, but I believe, after all, it was only the wind among the trees.
My mistress never made a complaint, and looked back from time to time to say a word of encouragement. It was but four miles, but it seemed like a dozen leagues. We met not a single soul on the road, and when we reached the city gate, the lights were all out in the town, though it was not midnight. Mr. Batie knocked at a little side gate, and said a few words in Latin. The wicket was opened, and we found ourselves within the friendly walls of the free Hanse town. A few steps more brought us to a great old church with a deep porch, wherein were wide benches. The sky had now cleared, and the waning moon showed us every thing clearly. My mistress had not said a word for half an hour, but now she spoke.
"Let us stop here, my dearest love; I fear I can not walk a step further."
There was mute suffering in her voice, and I guessed in a minute what was coming, but I don't believe it ever came into Mr. Batie's head. Men are so stupid, with all their learning.
"It is so cold!" said he, hesitating. "Had you not better—"
"No, no, let her rest!" said I. And seeing he did not yet understand, I whispered something in his ear, and added: "Hasten and find us shelter as quickly as you can."
It was not so easily done. All the houses were closed, even the inns, and he could make nobody hear. Indeed, a German landlord, once he hath closed his house for the night, will not open to a prince of the blood. He hurried from street to street, growing fairly distracted with anxiety. At last he came across a knot of students, who were disputing violently in Latin. He appealed to them at once.
"For the love of Heaven and your own mothers, gentlemen, tell me where I can find help for a lady in extremity!"
They looked at each other, and were inclined to make a joke of the matter at first, but seeing his distress to be real, the kind-hearted lads consulted together.