And then for the first time the countess remembered there was not a living soul in the house.
She grew very grave.
"It is truly a problem," continued the priest, "to know how we are to get out of the castle."
"What do you mean?" asked Theudelinde, who was so weak-minded that she always required to have everything explained to her.
"We two are quite alone in this house," returned the abbé. "If I go away to get the necessary assistance for packing up your things and making the arrangements for departure I must leave you alone here."
"I would not for all the world remain alone here."
"Then you have the alternative of accompanying me on foot to the nearest post-house in the adjacent village."
As he spoke the snow-storm was heard outside beating against the window. Theudelinde shivered.
"Why cannot we drive? My horses are in the stable."
"But I can neither harness them nor drive them."