` Why , there is not a girl in my own country that can be compared to her . She , and no other , shall be my bride . ' The carriage was large and barred the narrow road , so Tephany was forced , much against her will , to remain where she was . But she looked the young man full in the face as she answered : ` Go your way , noble lord , and let me go mine . I am only a poor peasant girl , accustomed to milk , and make hay and spin . ' ` Peasant you may be , but I will make you a great lady , ' said he , taking her hand and trying to lead her to the carriage . ' I do n't want to be a great lady , I only want to be the wife of Denis , ' she replied , throwing off his hand and running to the ditch which divided the road from the cornfield , where he hoped to hide . Unluckily the young man guessed what she was doing , and signed to his attendants , who seized her and put her in the coach . The door was banged , and the horses whipped up into a gallop . At the end of an hour they arrived at a splendid castle , and Tephany , who would not move , was lifted out and carried into the hall , while a priest was sent for to perform the marriage ceremony . The young man tried to win a smile from her by telling of all the beautiful things she should have as his wife , but Tephany did not listen to him , and looked about to see if there was any means by which she could escape . It did not seem easy . The three great doors were closely barred , and the one through which she had entered shut with a spring , but her feather was still in her hair , and by its aid she detected a crack in the wooden panelling , through which a streak of light could be dimly seen . Touching the copper pin which fastened her dress , the girl sent every one in the hall to count the cabbages , while she herself passed through the little door , not knowing whither she was going . By this time night had fallen , and Tephany was very tired . Thankfully she found herself at the gate of a convent , and asked if she might stay there till morning . But the portress answered roughly that it was no place for beggars , and bade her begone , so the poor girl dragged herself slowly along the road , till a light and the bark of a dog told her that she was near a farm . In front of the house was a group of people ; two or three women and the sons of the farmer . When their mother heard Tephany 's request to be given a bed the good wife 's heart softened , and she was just going to invite her inside , when the young men , whose heads were turned by the girl 's beauty , began to quarrel as to which should do most for her . From words they came to blows , and the women , frightened at the disturbance , pelted Tephany with insulting names .
She quickly ran down the nearest path , hoping to escape them XXXXX the darkness of the trees , but in an instant she heard their footsteps behind her .
At along as by in near of that till to