Page:The Monk, A Romance - Lewis (1796, 1st ed., Volume 1).djvu/188

 ners had all the peasant's honesty, unaccompanied by his rudeness: his checks were broad, full, and ruddy; and in the solidity of his person he seemed to offer an ample apology for the leanness of his wife's. From the wrinkles on his brow, I judged him to be turned of sixty; but he bore his years well, and seemed still hearty and strong. The wife could not be more than thirty, but in spirits and vivacity she was infinitely older than the husband.

However, in spite of her unwillingness, Marguerite began to prepare the supper, while the woodman converted gaily on different subjects. The postillion, who had been furnished with a bottle of spirits, was now ready to set out for Strasbourg, and enquired whether I had any further commands.

"For Strasbourg?" interrupted Baptiste; "you are not going thither to-night?"

"I beg your pardon: if I do not fetch workmen to mend the chaise, how is monsieur to proceed to-morrow?"