So selfish are the hearts of poor mortals, that they
are ready to change as favour goes!
So they were not long getting ready; and I am just setting out, back
again: and I hope I shall have no reason to repent it.
Robin put on very vehemently; and when we came to the little town, where
we lay on Sunday night, he gave his horses a bait, and said, he would
push for his master's that night, as it would be moon-light, if I should
not be too much fatigued because there was no place between that and the
town adjacent to his master's, fit to put up at, for the night. But
Monsieur Colbrand's horse beginning to give way, made a doubt between
them: wherefore I said, (hating to be on the road,) if it could be done,
I should bear it well enough, I hoped; and that Monsieur Colbrand might
leave his horse, when it failed, at some house, and come into the
chariot. This pleased them both; and, about twelve miles short, he left
the horse, and took off his spurs and holsters, etc. and, with abundance
of ceremonial excuses, came into the chariot; and I sat the easier for
it; for my bones ached sadly with the jolting, and so many miles
travelling in so few hours, as I have done, from Sunday night, five
o'clock. But, for all this, it was eleven o'clock at night, when we came
to the village adjacent to my master's; and the horses began to be very
much tired, and Robin too: but I said, It would be pity to put up only
three miles short of the house.
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