"A couple of leagues, signor."

"And the gates close at ten?"

"Si, signor."

"Can you accommodate me within?"

"Si, signor."

"And my horse?"

"Si, signor."

"I may as well stop here," said Carlton, for it was he, "as a few
miles nearer the city, for I cannot enter until morning."

Resolving to tarry here for the night, he threw the bridle of his
weary steed to the hostler, and entered the house. He had ridden out
from the city early that morning for exercise and pleasure, and had
ascended many miles the wild and majestic Apennines to obtain a view
of the glorious scenery presented from their lofty heights, and get
a sight of the far-off Adriatic; he was belated on his way, and
resolved to go no further in the deep darkness of the night. A
storm, too, was evidently about to break in all its fury, and might
overtake him before another shelter could be obtained. It was this
latter inducement, in connection with the weary state of his horse,
that led him to decide upon stopping at so uninviting a house as the
one in question.