We alighted at a dirty stone passage, smelling of cats and onions,
damp, cold, and earthy, we went up stone stairways, and at last were
ushered into two very decent chambers, where we might lay our heads.
The "corbies" all followed us,--black-haired, black-browed, ragged,
and clamorous as ever. They insisted that we should pay the pretty
little sum of twenty francs, or four dollars, for bringing our trunks
about twenty steps. The doctor modestly but firmly declined to be thus
imposed upon, and then ensued a general "chatteration;" one and all
fell into attitudes, and the "inos" and "issimos" rolled freely. "For
pity's sake get them off," we said; so we made a truce for ten francs,
but still they clamored, forced their way even into our bedroom, and
were only repulsed by a loud and combined volley of "No, no, noes!"
which we all set up at once, upon which they retreated.
Our hostess was a little French woman, and that reassured us. I
examined the room, and seeing no trace of treacherous testers, or
trap-doors, resolved to avail myself without fear of the invitation of
a very clean, white bed, where I slept till morning without dreaming.
The next day we sent our cards to M. Bartholimeu, and before we had
finished breakfast he was on the spot. We then learned that he had
been watching the diligence office for over a week, and that he had
the pleasant set of apartments we are now occupying all ready and
waiting for us.
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