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I set out.

Whitcross regained, I followed a road which led from the sun, now fervent and high.

By no other circumstance had I will to decide my choice.

I walked a long time, and when I thought I had nearly done enough, and might conscientiously yield to the fatigue that almost overpowered me-might relax this forced action, and, sitting down on a stone I saw near, submit resistlessly to the apathy that clogged heart and limb-I heard a bell chime-a church bell.

I turned in the direction of the sound, and there, amongst the romantic hills, whose changes and aspect I had ceased to note an hour ago, I saw a hamlet and a spire.

All the valley at my right hand was full of pasture-fields, and cornfields, and wood; and a glittering stream ran zig-zag through the varied shades of green, the mellowing grain, the sombre woodland, the clear and sunny lea.

Recalled by the rumbling of wheels to the road before me, I saw a heavily-laden waggon labouring up the hill, and not far beyond were two cows and their drover.

Human life and human labour were near.

I must struggle on: strive to live and bend to toil like the rest.

About two o'clock p.m.

I entered the village.

At the bottom of its one street there was a little shop with some cakes of bread in the window.

I coveted a cake of bread.

With that refreshment I could perhaps regain a degree of energy: without it, it would be difficult to proceed.

The wish to have some strength and some vigour returned to me as soon as I was amongst my fellow-beings.

I felt it would be degrading to faint with hunger on the causeway of a hamlet.

Had I nothing about me I could offer in exchange for one of these rolls? I considered.

I had a small silk handkerchief tied round my throat; I had my gloves.

I could hardly tell how men and women in extremities of destitution proceeded.

I did not know whether either of these articles would be accepted: probably they would not; but I must try.

I entered the shop: a woman was there.

Seeing a respectably-dressed person, a lady as she supposed, she came forward with civility.

How could she serve me? I was seized with shame: my tongue would not utter the request I had prepared.

I dared not offer her the half-worn gloves, the creased handkerchief: besides, I felt it would be absurd.

I only begged permission to sit down a moment, as I was tired.

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