صفحة 332 من 483

Thus situated, employed in the most detestable occupation,

immersed in a solitude where nothing could for an instant call my

attention from the actual scene in which I was engaged, my

spirits became unequal; I grew restless and nervous. Every moment

I feared to meet my persecutor. Sometimes I sat with my eyes

fixed on the ground, fearing to raise them lest they should

encounter the object which I so much dreaded to behold. I feared

to wander from the sight of my fellow creatures lest when alone

he should come to claim his companion.

In the mean time I worked on, and my labour was already

considerably advanced. I looked towards its completion with a

tremulous and eager hope, which I dared not trust myself to

question but which was intermixed with obscure forebodings of

evil that made my heart sicken in my bosom.

Chapter 20