Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 3).djvu/79

 "Why, a friend, (replied Lubin) and a devilish time he has been trying to gain admittance: Come, come, Mr. Colin, you may open the door without any grumbling, for by the time I have taken to waken you it is pretty evident you have had a good spell."

"Pray what brings you here at this time of night?" cried a shrill female voice.

"I am come by the command of my lady to borrow two horses, (answered Lubin) I must get them directly, and without being asked whither I am going with them; pray make haste, I have a lady waiting with me for them."

"A lady!" the old couple repeated, and both thrust their heads together out of the window, to see whether he spoke truth or not.

The door was now opened in a minute, and the nurse invited Madeline into the cottage, while her husband went forth with Lubin to a little shed adjoining it, to prepare the horses: she had seen Madeline before at