The man's passion was something frightful to see, and I was more than half inclined to leave the place; but something, perhaps a distant murmur of the rising tide, compelled me to stay. I pretended sleep, allowing my head to sink, down upon the table.
He sat still for a few moments, and then commenced walking about the room, and abruptly asked:
"What brought you here, Alexis?"
"My master's horse, Signor Conrad."
"Good, my little fox; but why did you come on your master's horse?"
"Because my master wishes to reach Leghorn to-night, to meet his bride, Conrad."
"Then his is the special train ordered at nine, that I am to go with?" exclaimed the guard eagerly.
"That is so, gentle Conrad; and now, having told you all, let me pay our hostess and go."
"Pay! No one pays for me, little fox; no, no, go; I will pay."
The courier took his departure, and the guard kept walking up and down the room, muttering to himself: