The narrow
battlements rose up, sharp and distinct, but black as their own grim
recesses, in solemn contrast with the bright and rolling masses from
behind, breaking into all the gorgeous tints that betoken a heavy and
lurid atmosphere.
They crossed a narrow bridge, and the clattering of their horses' hoofs
were soon heard in the courtyard of the castle.
"So, masters, if it had not pleased your betters to have built hostels
and roosting-places on the road, I might have been snug in my blanket
some hours ago may be."
The personage who thus accosted them was dressed in a plain leathern cap
and doublet, with a pair of stout hose that would not have disgraced a
burgher of the first magnitude; his short and frizzled beard was
curiously twirled and pointed, we may suppose after the fashion of those
regions; and his manner and appearance was that of some confidential
menial belonging to the establishment. His whole demeanour had in it an
air of impertinent authority; his little sharp eyes twinkled in all the
plenitude of power, and peered in the faces of the travellers as they
alighted to render him an unwilling salutation.
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