them to Rotterdam. From the driver of
this machine he learned, that having
proceeded by slow stages, they had late in
the evening approached Rotterdam; but
that before they entered the city, and
while yet nearly a mile from it, a small
party of men, soberly clad, and after the
old fashion, with peaked beards and
moustaches, standing in the centre of the road,
obstructed the further progress of the car-
riage. The driver reined in his horses,
much fearing, from the obscurity of the
hour, and the loneliness of the road, that
some mischief was intended.

His fears were, however, somewhat
allayed by his observing that these strange
men carried a large litter, of an antique
shape, and which they immediately set
down upon the pavement, whereupon the
bridegroom, having opened the coach-door
from within, descended, and having assisted
his bride to do likewise, led her, weeping
bitterly and wringing her hands, to the
litter, which they both entered. It was
then raised by the men who surrounded it,
and speedily carried towards the city, and
before it had proceeded many yards the
darkness concealed it from the view of the
Dutch charioteer.