“You are, perhaps, unaware, sir, being a stranger, that it is the Emperor of Austria's desire this château should not be intruded on.” “My offending, sir,” interrupted I, “was purely accidental. I am the bearer of despatches for General Savary; and having stopped to inquire from this honest man--” “The general has taken his departure for Göding,” he broke in, without paying further attention to my explanation. “For Goding! and may I ask what distance that may be?” “Scarcely a league, if you can hit upon the right path; the road lies yonder, where you see that dead fir-tree.” “I thank you, sir,” said I, touching my hat; “and must now ask my friend here to release me,--my orders are of moment.” “You may find some difficulty in the wood, after all,” said he; “I 'll send my groom part of the way with you.” Before I could proffer my thanks suitably for such an unexpected politeness, he had disappeared in the garden through which he entered a few minutes before. “I say, my worthy friend, tell me the name of that gentleman; he's one of the Emperor's staff, if I mistake not. I 'm certain I 've seen the face before.” “If you had,” said the old fellow, laughing, “you could scarcely forget him; old Frantzerl is just the same these twenty years.” “Whom did you say?” Before he could reply, the other was at my side. “Now, sir,” said he, “he will conduct you to the highroad. I wish you a good journey.” These words were uttered in a tone somewhat more haughty than his previous ones; and contenting myself with a civil acknowledgment of his attention, I bowed and returned to my horse, which the little peasant child had been holding. “This way, Monsieur,” said the groom, who, dressed in a plain dark brown livery, was mounted on a horse of great size and symmetry. As he spoke, he dashed forward at a gallop which all my efforts could not succeed in overtaking. In less than ten minutes the man halted, and, waiting till I came up, he pointed to a gentle acclivity before me, across which the highroad led. “There lies the road, sir; continue your speed, and in twenty minutes you reach Göding.” “One word,” said I, drawing forth my purse as I spoke,--“one word. Tell me, who is your master?” The groom smiled, slightly touched his hat, and without uttering a word, wheeled round his horse, and before I could repeat my question, was far on his road back to the château.