Some hours were passed in this perplexed situation, and Natura expected no better than to remain there till morning, when he heard a voice at a little distance, cry, 'Who goes there?' Never had any music been half so pleasing to the ears of Natura. 'Friends,' replied he, 'and travellers, that have lost their way.' On this the person who had spoke, drew nearer, and asked whither they were bent. Natura told him to the villa of the baron d' Eyrac. 'The baron d' Eyrac,' said the other, 'he lives twelve miles on the other side the wood, and that is five miles over.'--He then asked if there were no town near, to which he could direct them.--'No,' replied the other, 'but there is a little village where is one inn, and that is above half a league off:--you will never find your way to it; but if you will pay me, I will guide you.' Natura wished no more, and having agreed with him for his hire, followed where he led. Nothing that was ever called an inn, had so much the shew of wretchedness; nor could it be expected otherwise, for being far from any great road, it was frequented only by shepherds, and others the meanest sort of peasants, who worked in the adjacent grounds, or tended the cattle. In this miserable place was Natura obliged to take up his lodging:--he lay down, indeed, on the ragged dirty mattress, but durst not take off his cloaths, so noisome was every thing about him:--fatigued as he was, he could not close his eyes till towards day, but had not slept above two hours before the peasant who had served him as a guide, and had also stayed at the inn, came into his room, and waked him abruptly, telling him the lady abbess desired to speak with him.--Natura was much vexed at this disturbance, and not sufficiently awaked to recollect himself, only cried peevishly, 'What have I to do with abbesses,' and then turned to sleep again. On his second waking, his footman acquainted him, that a priest waited to see him:--Natura then remembered what the peasant had said, but could not conceive what business these holy people had with him; he went down however immediately, and was saluted by a reverend gentleman, who told him, that the lady abbess of a neighbouring monastery (whose almoner he was) hearing from one of her shepherds the distress he had been in, had sent to intreat he would come, and refresh himself with what her convent afforded. Natura was now ashamed of having been so rough with the peasant, but well atoned for it by the handsome apology he now made; after which he told the almoner, that he would receive the abbess's commands as soon as he was in a condition to be seen by her.--This was what good manners exacted from him, tho' in truth he had no inclination for a visit, in which he proposed so little satisfaction.