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“You gentlemen have been accustomed to hurry. You will arrive in time I suppose…. You see what this country is, and further north is a hundred times worse, believe my word!…”

All in the room became silent. Even the hostess left her distaff and yarn, and, having put out the fire went to bed. Darkness and silence prevailed everywhere, only occasionally interrupted by the roar of an approaching violent gust of wind!

I could not sleep for the hurricane raised sad thoughts in my mind and this continued….

“As I see sleep does not come to you”—said one of the “leaders.” He was an old man, pleasant enough, and prudent with an amiable face, one could almost call him intelligent, knew his duty very well, although he was not severe.

“It is true, I cannot go to sleep.”