We rejoice to see that you are pleased with our endeavors for your
amusement, and will hope that when next we chance to meet, we may
therein be as fortunate as now."

At the word, each of the troop made a low obeisance, and with their
leader, quickly retreated from the village. By slow degrees, the streets
were cleared, though here and there a few lingered along to talk over
the occurrences of the night. It was not till near the dawn of morn that
the village again became quiet, when in the early dew, a carriage drove
swiftly up to the inn, the door of which the coachman, having leaped
from his seat, banged with might and main. At length old Gaspar thrust
his night-capped head from an upper window.

"What means this cursed din?" he angrily exclaimed.

"Come down--come down!" the coachman replied, in a gruff voice. "Here is
Prince Reklovstt waiting at your door."

"Good Heaven!" exclaimed the landlord, withdrawing his head in a
fluster. "It can be no common prince, this, with such a jaw-breaking
name. Here Francesco, Rosa, wife, all of you! hurry, haste down stairs
as quickly as you can!"

The household were quickly astir, the doors were unbarred, and Gaspar
presented himself before the prince, who had just descended from the
carriage. The Russian lord--for any one would have known him as such by
his appearance--possessed a long beard, thick eyebrows, and eyes, whose
look was chiefly a chilly and impenetrable stare.

"He must be monstrous rich," thought Gaspar; "he has such a bearish way