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Clerval spoke thus as we hurried through the streets; the words

impressed themselves on my mind and I remembered them afterwards

in solitude. But now, as soon as the horses arrived, I hurried

into a cabriolet, and bade farewell to my friend.

My journey was very melancholy. At first I wished to hurry on,

for I longed to console and sympathise with my loved and

sorrowing friends; but when I drew near my native town, I

slackened my progress. I could hardly sustain the multitude of

feelings that crowded into my mind. I passed through scenes

familiar to my youth, but which I had not seen for nearly six

years. How altered every thing might be during that time! One

sudden and desolating change had taken place; but a thousand

little circumstances might have by degrees worked other

alterations, which, although they were done more tranquilly,

might not be the less decisive. Fear overcame me; I dared no

advance, dreading a thousand nameless evils that made me tremble,

although I was unable to define them.