But they were now leaving Italy, and entering a country where German was spoken.

Trent, in those days an important city, was then, and is still, the meeting place of Italy and Germany.

Both tongues are here spoken; but while the Italian perhaps preponderates, the customs, manners, and mode of thought of the people belong to those of the mountaineers of the Tyrol, rather than of the dwellers on the plains.
"You are choosing a stormy time," the landlord of the hostelry where they put up said to Cuthbert.

"The winter is now at hand, and storms sweep across the passes with terrible violence.

You had better, at the last village you come to in the valley, obtain the services of a guide, for should a snowstorm come on when you are crossing, the path will be lost, and nothing will remain but a miserable death.