Pagina 337 van 483

I left the room, and locking the door, made a solemn vow in my

own heart never to resume my labours; and then, with trembling

steps, I sought my own apartment. I was alone; none were near me

to dissipate the gloom and relieve me from the sickening

oppression of the most terrible reveries.

Several hours passed, and I remained near my window gazing on the

sea; it was almost motionless, for the winds were hushed, and all

nature reposed under the eye of the quiet moon. A few fishing

vessels alone specked the water, and now and then the gentle

breeze wafted the sound of voices as the fishermen called to one

another. I felt the silence, although I was hardly conscious of

its extreme profundity, until my ear was suddenly arrested by the

paddling of oars near the shore, and a person landed close to my

house.