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If this journey had taken place during my days of study and

happiness, it would have afforded me inexpressible pleasure. But

a blight had come over my existence, and I only visited these

people for the sake of the information they might give me on the

subject in which my interest was so terribly profound. Company

was irksome to me; when alone, I could fill my mind with the

sights of heaven and earth; the voice of Henry soothed me, and I

could thus cheat myself into a transitory peace. But busy,

uninteresting, joyous faces brought back despair to my heart. I

saw an insurmountable barrier placed between me and my fellow

men; this barrier was sealed with the blood of William and

Justine, and to reflect on the events connected with those names

filled my soul with anguish.