We waited his arrival for more than an hour, and, through delicacy for his position, we remained concealed in a grove some distance from the door.  He at length appeared, and I proceeded alone to meet him and make known my name.  He started involuntarily and retreated a few paces from me.  After repeating my name for a few seconds, he said, “Surely you are not so unmanly as to compromise me?” I replied, that so sensible was I of the danger of committing him, that I refused to enter his house, though we all, and particularly my female companion, sadly needed rest and shelter.  After some time, he began to pace up and down in front of his door, repeating at every turn that it was indiscreet and dishonourable to compromise him.  Among the many trials to which fate had doomed me, through hours of gloom, of peril and disaster, and even during reveries of still darker chances, which fear or fancy often evoked, I never felt a pang so keen as that which those unfeeling words sent through my heart.  For a while I was unable to articulate, but at length I said:  “You are one of those who urged us to this fate.  You gave us every assurance that, in any crisis, you would be at our side.  We made the desperate trial which you recommended.  We have failed, because we were abandoned by those who were foremost in urging us on; and even now—­here, where God alone sees us—­you meet with reproaches one who has sacrificed his all on earth in a cause you pretended to bless.  Is not that fate worse than defeat—­than flight—­than death?” “Tis a sad fate, no doubt,” said he.  My object, I said, was to escape to France, and I called on him, believing he could assist me, as he must be acquainted with the boatmen around that part of the coast.  He answered it was possible he could, but not then; asked how he could communicate with me; pointed to a shorter route across the mountains than that by which we had descended, and turned in to his dinner, which was just announced.

* * * * *

We faced towards the mountain, hungry and exhausted, without being asked to taste food or drink.  It need not be detailed how sore at heart we felt as we recommenced our dreary journey.  It was already evening.  Censer masses of fog had gathered on the hill, and lurid streaks spreading far out on the sea, portended a night of storm and gloom.  However, we had no resource but to regain the house where we had slept two nights before, which we supposed might be distant about seven miles; and by gaining the summit of the hill before dark, we hoped to make our way easily down the other side.  To obtain some food, of whatever kind, was an indispensable preliminary.  The house nearest to the mountain appeared to be that of a comfortable farmer.  We entered it trembling, and found our expectations not disappointed.  But the housewife peremptorily refused our first request, evidently suspecting there was something wrong, and unable to reconcile our appearance with the idea of