But marriage, d'ye see, is a citadel that it is plaguy easy to find one's way into, but once in old Tilly himself could not bring one out again with credit, I have known such a device on the Danube, where at the first onfall the Mamelukes have abandoned the breach for the very purpose of ensnaring the Imperial troops in the narrow streets beyond, from which few ever returned.

Old birds are not caught with such wiles.

I did succeed in gaining the ear of one of the gossips, and asking him what he could tell me of the good dame and her inn.

It seemeth that she is somewhat of a shrew upon occasion, and that her tongue had more to do with her husband's death than the dropsy which the leech put it down to.

Again, a new inn hath been started in the village, which is well-managed, and is like to draw the custom from her.