"Tell them exactly what has passed between us. If I am not greatly mistaken this honest explanation will satisfy them; if it be otherwise--" "Well, if it be so, what am I to do, sir?" "Refer them to me, Master Pivois, and I will undertake in my turn to convince them; gentlemen of good birth perfectly understand each other." "Still, monseigneur--" "Not a word more on this subject, I must request; but stay," he added, and listened, "I believe your company are arriving." And he carelessly threw himself back in his chair. Outside, the trampling of horses on the hardened snow could be distinctly heard, and then several blows were dealt on the door. "It is they," the host muttered. "A further reason not to keep them waiting; go and open the door, master, for it is very cold outside." The landlord hesitated for a moment and then left the room without replying. The stranger carefully folded himself in his mantle, pulled the brim of his beaver over his eyes, and awaited the entrance of the newcomers, while affecting an air of indifference. The waiting-men, who had sought shelter in the most remote corner of the room, were trembling in the prevision of a disturbance. CHAPTER II. A FAMILY SCENE. In the meanwhile the new arrivals were making a great noise in the road, and seemed to be growing impatient at the delay in letting them into the hostelry. Master Pivois at length decided to open to them, though he was suffering from a secret apprehension as to the consequences which the presence of a stranger in the house might have for him. As soon as a stable-lad had by his orders, drawn back the bolts, and opened the carriage-gates, several horsemen entered the yard, accompanied by a coach drawn by four horses. By the light of the lanthorn held by his lad the landlord perceived that the travellers were seven in number; three masters, three servants, and the coachman on the box. All were wrapped up in thick cloaks, and armed to the teeth. So soon as the coach had entered the yard, the horsemen dismounted; one of them, who appeared to exercise a certain authority over his companions, walked up to the landlord, while the others brought the coach up to the main entrance of the house, and closed the gates. "Well, master," said the traveller to whom we allude, with a very marked foreign accent, although he expressed himself very purely in French; "have my orders been punctually executed?" At this question, which was very embarrassing to him, Master Pivois scratched his head, and then replied like the cunning peasant he was-- "As far as possibly, yes, my lord." "What do you mean, scoundrel?" the traveller resumed roughly; "Your instructions were precise enough." "Yes, my lord," the landlord said humbly; "and I will even add that I was liberally paid beforehand." "In that case, what have you to say?" "That I have done the best I could," Master Pivois replied in growing confusion.