quantities. It was, indeed, sometimes a topic of complaint with him that
his neuralgia imposed this sad necessity upon him.

The image of Uncle Silas, as I had seen him that day, troubled and
affrighted my imagination, as I lay in my bed; I had slept very well since
my arrival at Bartram. So much of the day was passed in the open air, and
in active exercise, that this was but natural. But that night I was nervous
and wakeful, and it was past two o'clock when I fancied I heard the sound
of horses and carriage-wheels on the avenue.

Mary Quince was close by, and therefore I was not afraid to get up and peep
from the window. My heart beat fast as I saw a post-chaise approach the
court-yard. A front window was let down, and the postilion pulled up for a
few seconds.

In consequence of some directions received by him, I fancied he resumed his
route at a walk, and so drew up at the hall-door, on the steps of which a
figure awaited his arrival. I think it was old L'Amour, but I could not be
quite certain. There was a lantern on the top of the balustrade, close by
the door. The chaise-lamps were lighted, for the night was rather dark. A
bag and valise, as well as I could see, were pulled from the interior by
the post-boy, and a box from the top of the vehicle, and these were carried
into the hall.

I was obliged to keep my cheek against the window-pane to command a view
of the point of debarkation, and my breath upon the glass, which dimmed it
again almost as fast as I wiped it away, helped to obscure my vision. But
I saw a tall figure, in a cloak, get down and swiftly enter the house, but
whether male or female I could not discern.