THE DILIGENCE FROM ROUEN AND THE MASQUERADING LADIES The diligence from Rouen rolled and careened along the road to Rochelle.

Eddies of snow, wind-formed, whirled hither and thither, or danced around the vehicle like spirits possessed of infinite mischief.
Here and there a sickly tree stretched forth its barren arms blackly against the almost endless reaches of white.

Sometimes the horses struggled through drifts which nearly reached their bellies; again, they staggered through hidden marsh pools.

The postilion, wrapped in a blanket, cursed deeply and with ardor.

He swung his whip not so much to urge the horses as to keep the blood moving in his body.