There had been very little said between Michel Voss and Urmand on their journey towards Granpere till they were at the top of the Vosges, on the mountain road, at which place they had to leave their little carriage and bait their horse.

Indeed Michel had been asleep during almost the entire time.

On the night but one before he had not been in bed at all, having reached Basle after midnight, and having passed the hours 'twixt that and his morning visit to Urmand's house in his futile endeavours to stop poor Marie's letter.
And the departure of the travellers from Basle on this morning had been very early, so that the poor innkeeper had been robbed of his proper allowance of natural rest.

He had slept soundly in the train to Colmar, and had afterwards slept in the little caleche which had taken them to the top of the mountain.

Urmand had sat silent by his side,--by no means anxious to disturb his companion, because he had no determined plan ready to communicate.