“Ho, mother! mother Celeste,” called the guide. “Mother Celeste!”
No one answered.
“She does not hear,” observed the lady, “she is asleep; call louder.”
“Ho, Mother Celeste! Mother Celeste! it is I, it is I,” repeated the guide.
Still there was no answer,—the dog barked still more loudly.
“Heavens! I hope we have not come all this way for nothing,” exclaimed the lady, in a voice that faltered with anxiety.
“It is to be hoped not,” answered the guide, and she began to call out more loudly than before. “Mother Celeste! Mother Celeste!”
“Who is is that comes to disturb me at this lonely hour of the night?” said a weak and obscure voice, that came from within the fragile hut.
“It is I, it is I, and another person, who wish to see you,” answered the guide.
“You cannot see me to-night. I do not know what you have to see me about,” answered the same voice.