The Castle of Wolfenbach, page 39 by Eliza Parsons
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a servant, enter the room. 'Do not be alarmed,' said the stranger, 'I want to ask you a few questions, which, if you answer truly, no harm shall happen to you, else you must look to the consequence; tell me from whom you had the horse I saw you ride, and how long it has been in your possession? At your peril answer me with truth.' Before Joseph could recollect himself to answer this demand Bertha fell on her knees, 'O, Sir, do not hurt my poor husband, and I will tell you all.' 'Be quiet, wife,' said Joseph, 'I will answer for myself. I had the horse from a man, a friend of mine.' 'What was his name?' 'Sir, I humbly think that is no concern of yours.' 'Villain!' cried the gentleman, 'tell me this instant, or I will send you and your wife to prison, for the horse was stolen from me.' 'O, the Lord be gracious unto us,' exclaimed Bertha, 'the man's name was Albert, Sir; we are innocent indeed we are.' 'I believe it,' said the other, very mildly; 'you look like an honest woman, and I will reward you handsomely, if you speak truth. William, take care of the man, I will go into another room with this good woman.' 'Bertha!' cried Joseph, the stranger led her away into the parlour, she crying and begging no harm might happen to Joseph. He quieted her fears on that head, and then asked if Albert was in the house. 'No, indeed, Sir,' answered she; 'he went away four days ago, in a chaise with the young lady.' 'Ah!' cried he, 'that is the very thing I wished to know; and where are they gone, my friend?' 'Alack, Sir, I believe they be gone to Parish, or some place like that.' 'The devil!' exclaimed he, 'to Paris. Well, and are they to return here?' 'O, no, Sir,' returned Bertha; 'no such good luck to us, for to be sure she was as generous as an empress.'
He then returned to the kitchen, where Joseph sat very sullen; 'I tell you what, friend, I believe you may be innocent; but the lady you have had here is my niece, who has eloped from my care, and seduced my servant to steal the horse you rode today, and go off with h