CHAPTERI。
　　IHADnotbeensettledmuchmorethansixweeksinmycountrypracticewhenIwassentfortoaneighboringtown，toconsultwiththeresidentmedicalmanthereonacaseofverydangerousillness。
　　Myhorsehadcomedownwithmeattheendofalongridethenightbefore，andhadhurthimself，luckily，muchmorethanhehadhurthismaster。Beingdeprivedoftheanimal’sservices，I
　　startedformydestinationbythecoach（therewerenorailwaysatthattime），andIhopedtogetbackagain，towardtheafternoon，inthesameway。
　　Aftertheconsultationwasover，Iwenttotheprincipalinnofthetowntowaitforthecoach。Whenitcameupitwasfullinsideandout。TherewasnoresourceleftmebuttogethomeascheaplyasIcouldbyhiringagig。Thepriceaskedforthisaccommodationstruckmeasbeingsoextortionate，thatI
　　determinedtolookoutforaninnofinferiorpretensions，andtotryifIcouldnotmakeabetterbargainwithalessprosperousestablishment。
　　Isoonfoundalikely—lookinghouse，dingyandquiet，withanold—fashionedsign，thathadevidentlynotbeenrepaintedformanyyearspast。Thelandlord，inthiscase，wasnotabovemakingasmallprofit，andassoonaswecametotermsherangtheyard—belltoorderthegig。
　　"HasRobertnotcomebackfromthaterrand？"askedthelandlord，appealingtothewaiterwhoansweredthebell。
　　"No，sir，hehasn’t。"
　　"Well，then，youmustwakeupIsaac。"
　　"WakeupIsaac！"Irepeated；"thatsoundsratherodd。Doyourhostlersgotobedinthedaytime？"
　　"Thisonedoes，"saidthelandlord，smilingtohimselfinratherastrangeway。
　　"Anddreamstoo，"addedthewaiter；"Ishan’tforgettheturnitgavemethefirsttimeIheardhim。"
　　"Neveryoumindaboutthat，"retortedtheproprietor；"yougoandrouseIsaacup。Thegentleman’swaitingforhisgig。"
　　Thelandlord’smannerandthewaiter’smannerexpressedagreatdealmorethantheyeitherofthemsaid。IbegantosuspectthatImightbeonthetraceofsomethingprofessionallyinterestingtomeasamedicalman，andIthoughtIshouldliketolookatthehostlerbeforethewaiterawakenedhim。
　　"Stopaminute，"Iinterposed；"Ihaveratherafancyforseeingthismanbeforeyouwakehimup。I’madoctor；andifthisqueersleepinganddreamingofhiscomesfromanythingwronginhisbrain，Imaybeabletotellyouwhattodowithhim。"
　　"Iratherthinkyouwillfindhiscomplaintpastalldoctoring，sir，"saidthelandlord；"but，ifyouwouldliketoseehim，you’rewelcome，I’msure。"
　　Heledthewayacrossayardanddownapassagetothestables，openedoneofthedoors，and，waitingoutsidehimself，toldmetolookin。
　　Ifoundmyselfinatwo—stallstable。Inoneofthestallsahorsewasmunchinghiscorn；intheotheranoldmanwaslyingasleeponthelitter。
　　Istoopedandlookedathimattentively。Itwasawithered，woe—begoneface。Theeyebrowswerepainfullycontracted；themouthwasfastset，anddrawndownatthecorners。
　　Thehollowwrinkledcheeks，andthescantygrizzledhair，toldtheirowntaleofsomepastsorroworsuffering。HewasdrawinghisbreathconvulsivelywhenIfirstlookedathim，andinamomentmorehebegantotalkinhissleep。
　　"Wakeup！"Iheardhimsay，inaquickwhisper，throughhisclinchedteeth。"Wakeupthere！Murder！"
　　Hemovedoneleanarmslowlytillitrestedoverhisthroat，shudderedalittle，andturnedonhisstraw。Thenthearmlefthisthroat，thehandstretcheditselfout，andclutchedatthesidetowardwhichhehadturned，asifhefanciedhimselftobegraspingattheedgeofsomething。Isawhislipsmove，andbentloweroverhim。Hewasstilltalkinginhissleep。
　　"Lightgrayeyes，"hemurmured，"andadroopinthelefteyelid；
　　flaxenhair，withagold—yellowstreakinit——allright，mother——fairwhitearms，withadownonthem——littlelady’shand，withareddishlookunderthefingernails。Theknife——alwaysthecursedknife——firstononeside，thenontheother。Aha！youshe—devil，where’stheknife？"
　　Atthelastwordhisvoicerose，andhegrewrestlessonasudden。Isawhimshudderonthestraw；hiswitheredfacebecamedistorted，andhethrewupbothhishandswithaquickhystericalgasp。Theystruckagainstthebottomofthemangerunderwhichhelay，andtheblowawakenedhim。Ihadjusttimetoslipthroughthedoorandcloseitbeforehiseyeswerefairlyopen，andhissenseshisownagain。
　　"Doyouknowanythingaboutthatman’spastlife？"Isaidtothelandlord。
　　"Yes，sir，Iknowprettywellallaboutit，"wastheanswer，"andanuncommonqueerstoryitis。Mostpeopledon’tbelieveit。It’strue，though，forallthat。Why，justlookathim，"continuedthelandlord，openingthestabledooragain。"Poordevil！he’ssowornoutwithhisrestlessnightsthathe’sdroppedbackintohissleepalready。"
　　"Don’twakehim，"Isaid；"I’minnohurryforthegig。Waittilltheothermancomesbackfromhiserrand；and，inthemeantime，supposeIhavesomelunchandabottleofsherry，andsupposeyoucomeandhelpmetogetthroughit？"
　　Theheartofminehost，asIhadanticipated，warmedtomeoverhisownwine。Hesoonbecamecommunicativeonthesubjectofthemanasleepinthestable，andbylittleandlittleIdrewthewholestoryoutofhim。Extravagantandincredibleastheeventsmustappeartoeverybody，theyarerelatedherejustasIheardthemandjustastheyhappened。
　　CHAPTERII。
　　SOMEyearsagotherelivedinthesuburbsofalargeseaporttownonthewestcoastofEnglandamaninhumblecircumstances，bynameIsaacScatchard。Hismeansofsubsistencewerederivedfromanyemploymentthathecouldgetasanhostler，andoccasionally，whentimeswentwellwithhim，fromtemporaryengagementsinserviceasstable—helperinprivatehouses。Thoughafaithful，steady，andhonestman，hegotonbadlyinhiscalling。Hisillluckwasproverbialamonghisneighbors。Hewasalwaysmissinggoodopportunitiesbynofaultofhisown，andalwayslivinglongestinservicewithamiablepeoplewhowerenotpunctualpayersofwages。"UnluckyIsaac"washisnicknameinhisownneighborhood，andnoonecouldsaythathedidnotrichlydeserveit。
　　Withfarmorethanoneman’sfairshareofadversitytoendure，Isaachadbutoneconsolationtosupporthim，andthatwasofthedreariestandmostnegativekind。Hehadnowifeandchildrentoincreasehisanxietiesandaddtothebitternessofhisvariousfailuresinlife。Itmighthavebeenfrommereinsensibility，oritmighthavebeenfromgenerousunwillingnesstoinvolveanotherinhisownunluckydestiny，butthefactundoubtedlywas，thathehadarrivedatthemiddletermoflifewithoutmarrying，and，whatismuchmoreremarkable，withoutonceexposinghimself，fromeighteentoeight—and—thirty，tothegenialimputationofeverhavinghadasweetheart。
　　Whenhewasoutofservicehelivedalonewithhiswidowedmother。Mrs。Scatchardwasawomanabovetheaverageinherlowlystationastocapacityandmanners。Shehadseenbetterdays，asthephraseis，butsheneverreferredtotheminthepresenceofcuriousvisitors；and，thoughperfectlypolitetoeveryonewhoapproachedher，nevercultivatedanyintimaciesamongherneighbors。Shecontrivedtoprovide，hardlyenough，forhersimplewantsbydoingroughworkforthetailors，andalwaysmanagedtokeepadecenthomeforhersontoreturntowheneverhisillluckdrovehimouthelplessintotheworld。
　　OnebleakautumnwhenIsaacwasgettingonfasttowardfortyandwhenhewasasusualoutofplacethroughnofaultofhisown，hesetforth，fromhismother’scottageonalongwalkinlandtoagentleman’sseatwherehehadheardthatastable—helperwasrequired。
　　Itwantedthenbuttwodaysofhisbirthday；andMrs。Scatchard，withherusualfondness，madehimpromise，beforehestarted，thathewouldbebackintimetokeepthatanniversarywithher，inasfestiveawayastheirpoormeanswouldallow。Itwaseasyforhimtocomplywiththisrequest，evensupposinghesleptanighteachwayontheroad。
　　HewastostartfromhomeonMondaymorning，and，whetherhegotthenewplaceornot，hewastobebackforhisbirthdaydinneronWednesdayattwoo’clock。
　　ArrivingathisdestinationtoolateontheMondaynighttomakeapplicationforthestablehelper’splace，hesleptatthevillageinn，andingoodtimeontheTuesdaymorningpresentedhimselfatthegentleman’shousetofillthevacantsituation。Hereagainhisillluckpursuedhimasinexorablyasever。Theexcellentwrittentestimonialstohischaracterwhichhewasabletoproduceavailedhimnothing；hislongwalkhadbeentakeninvain：onlythedaybeforethestable—helper’splacehadbeengiventoanotherman。
　　Isaacacceptedthisnewdisappointmentresignedlyandasamatterofcourse。Naturallyslowincapacity，hehadthebluntnessofsensibilityandphlegmaticpatienceofdispositionwhichfrequentlydistinguishmenwithsluggishly—workingmentalpowers。
　　Hethankedthegentleman’sstewardwithhisusualquietcivilityforgrantinghimaninterview，andtookhisdeparturewithnoappearanceofunusualdepressioninhisfaceormanner。
　　Beforestartingonhishomewardwalkhemadesomeinquiriesattheinn，andascertainedthathemightsaveafewmilesonhisreturnbyfollowingthenewroad。Furnishedwithfullinstructions，severaltimesrepeated，astothevariousturningshewastotake，hesetforthonhishomewardjourneyandwalkedonalldaywithonlyonestoppageforbreadandcheese。Justasitwasgettingtowarddark，theraincameonandthewindbegantorise，andhefoundhimself，tomakemattersworse，inapartofthecountrywithwhichhewasentirelyunacquainted，thoughheknewhimselftobesomefifteenmilesfromhome。Thefirsthousehefoundtoinquireatwasalonelyroadsideinn，standingontheoutskirtsofathickwood。Solitaryastheplacelooked，itwaswelcometoalostmanwhowasalsohungry，thirsty，footsoreandwet。Thelandlordwascivilandrespectable—looking，andthepriceheaskedforabedwasreasonableenough。Isaacthereforedecidedonstoppingcomfortablyattheinnforthatnight。
　　Hewasconstitutionallyatemperateman。
　　Hissupperconsistedoftworashersofbacon，asliceofhome—madebreadandapintofale。Hedidnotgotobedimmediatelyafterthismoderatemeal，butsatupwiththelandlord，talkingabouthisbadprospectsandhislongrunofill—luck，anddivergingfromthesetopicstothesubjectsofhorse—fleshandracing。Nothingwassaideitherbyhimself，hishost，orthefewlaborerswhostrayedintothetap—room，whichcould，intheslightestdegree，excitetheverysmallandverydullimaginativefacultywhichIsaacScatchardpossessed。
　　Atalittleaftereleventhehousewasclosed。Isaacwentroundwiththelandlordandheldthecandlewhilethedoorsandlowerwindowswerebeingsecured。Henoticedwithsurprisethestrengthoftheboltsandbars，andiron—sheathedshutters。
　　"Yousee，weareratherlonelyhere，"saidthelandlord。"Weneverhavehadanyattemptsmadetobreakinyet，butit’salwaysaswelltobeonthesafeside。Whennobodyissleepinghere，I
　　amtheonlymaninthehouse。Mywifeanddaughteraretimid，andtheservant—girltakesafterhermissuses。Anotherglassofalebeforeyouturnin？No！Well，howsuchasobermanasyoucomestobeoutofplaceismorethanIcanmakeout，forone。Here’swhereyou’retosleep。You’reouronlylodgerto—night，andI
　　thinkyou’llsaymymissushasdoneherbesttomakeyoucomfortable。You’requitesureyouwon’thaveanotherglassofale？Verywell。Good—night。"
　　Itwashalf—pastelevenbytheclockinthepassageastheywentupstairstothebedroom，thewindowofwhichlookedontothewoodatthebackofthehouse。
　　Isaaclockedthedoor，sethiscandleonthechestofdrawers，andwearilygotreadyforbed。
　　Thebleakautumnwindwasstillblowing，andthesolemn，monotonous，surgingmoanofitinthewoodwasdrearyandawfultohearthroughthenight—silence。Isaacfeltstrangelywakeful。
　　Heresolved，ashelaydowninbed，tokeepthecandlealightuntilhebegantogrowsleepy，fortherewassomethingunendurablydepressinginthebareideaoflyingawakeinthedarkness，listeningtothedismal，ceaselessmoaningofthewindinthewood。
　　Sleepstoleonhimbeforehewasawareofit。Hiseyesclosed，andhefelloffinsensiblytorestwithouthavingsomuchasthoughtofextinguishingthecandle。
　　Thefirstsensationofwhichhewasconsciousaftersinkingintoslumberwasastrangeshiveringthatranthroughhimsuddenlyfromheadtofoot，andadreadfulsinkingpainattheheart，suchashehadneverfeltbefore。Theshiveringonlydisturbedhisslumbers；thepainwokehiminstantly。Inonemomenthepassedfromastateofsleeptoastateofwakefulness——hiseyeswideopen——hismentalperceptionsclearedonasudden，asifbyamiracle。
　　Thecandlehadburneddownnearlytothelastmorseloftallow，butthetopoftheunsnuffedwickhadjustfallenoff，andthelightinthelittleroomwas，forthemoment，fairandfull。
　　Betweenthefootofhisbedandthecloseddoortherestoodawomanwithaknifeinherhand，lookingathim。
　　Hewasstrickenspeechlesswithterror，buthedidnotlosethepreternaturalclearnessofhisfaculties，andhenevertookhiseyesoffthewoman。Shesaidnotawordastheystaredeachotherintheface，butshebegantomoveslowlytowardtheleft—handsideofthebed。
　　Hiseyesfollowedher。Shewasafair，finewoman，withyellowishflaxenhairandlightgrayeyes，withadroopinthelefteyelid。
　　Henoticedthosethingsandfixedthemonhismindbeforeshewasroundatthesideofthebed。Speechless，withnoexpressioninherface，withnonoisefollowingherfootfall，shecamecloserandcloser——stopped——andslowlyraisedtheknife。Helaidhisrightarmoverhisthroattosaveit；but，ashesawtheknifecomingdown，threwhishandacrossthebedtotherightside，andjerkedhisbodyoverthatwayjustastheknifedescendedonthemattresswithinaninchofhisshoulder。
　　Hiseyesfixedonherarmandhandassheslowlydrewherknifeoutofthebed：awhite，well—shapedarm，withaprettydownlyinglightlyoverthefairskin——adelicatelady’shand，withthecrowningbeautyofapinkflushunderandroundthefinger—nails。
　　Shedrewtheknifeout，andpassedbackagainslowlytothefootofthebed；stoppedthereforamomentlookingathim；thencameon——stillspeechless，stillwithnoexpressionontheblank，beautifulface，stillwithnosoundfollowingthestealthyfootfalls——cameontotherightsideofthebed，wherehenowlay。
　　Assheapproached，sheraisedtheknifeagain，andhedrewhimselfawaytotheleftside。Shestruck，asbefore，rightintothemattress，withadeliberate，perpendicularlydownwardactionofthearm。Thistimehiseyeswanderedfromhertotheknife。Itwaslikethelargeclasp—kniveswhichhehadoftenseenlaboringmenusetocuttheirbreadandbaconwith。Herdelicatelittlefingersdidnotconcealmorethantwo—thirdsofthehandle：henoticedthatitwasmadeofbuck—horn，cleanandshiningasthebladewas，andlookinglikenew。
　　Forthesecondtimeshedrewtheknifeout，concealeditinthewidesleeveofhergown，thenstoppedbythebedside，watchinghim。Foraninstanthesawherstandinginthatposition，thenthewickofthespentcandlefelloverintothesocket；theflamediminishedtoalittlebluepoint，andtheroomgrewdark。
　　Amoment，orless，ifpossible，passedso，andthenthewickflamedup，smokingly，forthelasttime。Hiseyeswerestilllookingeagerlyovertheright—handsideofthebedwhenthefinalflashoflightcame，buttheydiscoverednothing。Thefairwomanwiththeknifewasgone。
　　Theconvictionthathewasaloneagainweakenedtheholdoftheterrorthathadstruckhimdumbuptothistime。Thepreternaturalsharpnesswhichtheveryintensityofhispanichadmysteriouslyimpartedtohisfacultiesleftthemsuddenly。Hisbraingrewconfused——hisheartbeatwildly——hisearsopenedforthefirsttimesincetheappearanceofthewomantoasenseofthewoefulceaselessmoaningofthewindamongthetrees。Withthedreadfulconvictionoftherealityofwhathehadseenstillstrongwithinhim，heleapedoutofbed，andscreaming"Murder！
　　Wakeup，there！wakeup！"dashedheadlongthroughthedarknesstothedoor。
　　Itwasfastlocked，exactlyashehadleftitongoingtobed。
　　Hiscriesonstartinguphadalarmedthehouse。Heheardtheterrified，confusedexclamationsofwomen；hesawthemasterofthehouseapproachingalongthepassagewithhisburningrush—candleinonehandandhisgunintheother。
　　"Whatisit？"askedthelandlord，breathlessly。Isaaccouldonlyanswerinawhisper。"Awoman，withaknifeinherhand，"hegaspedout。"Inmyroom——afair，yellow—hairedwoman；shejobbedatmewiththeknifetwiceover。"
　　Thelandlord’spalecheeksgrewpaler。HelookedatIsaaceagerlybytheflickeringlightofhiscandle，andhisfacebegantogetredagain；hisvoicealtered，too，aswellashiscomplexion。
　　"Sheseemstohavemissedyoutwice，"hesaid。
　　"Idodgedtheknifeasitcamedown，"Isaacwenton，inthesamescaredwhisper。"Itstruckthebedeachtime。"
　　Thelandlordtookhiscandleintothebedroomimmediately。Inlessthanaminutehecameoutagainintothepassageinaviolentpassion。
　　"Thedevilflyawaywithyouandyourwomanwiththeknife！Thereisn’tamarkinthebedclothesanywhere。Whatdoyoumeanbycomingintoaman’splaceandfrighteninghisfamilyoutoftheirwitsaboutadream？"
　　"I’llleaveyourhouse，"saidIsaac，faintly。"Betteroutontheroad，inrainanddark，onmyroadhome，thanbackagaininthatroom，afterwhatI’veseeninit。Lendmealighttogetmyclothesby，andtellmewhatI’mtopay。"
　　"Pay！"criedthelandlord，leadingthewaywithhislightsulkilyintothebedroom。"You’llfindyourscoreontheslatewhenyougodownstairs。Iwouldn’thavetakenyouinforallthemoneyyou’vegotaboutyouifI’dknownyourdreaming，screechingwaysbeforehand。Lookatthebed。Where’sthecutofaknifeinit？
　　Lookatthewindow——isthelockbursted？Lookatthedoor（whichIheardyoufastenyourself）——isitbrokein？Amurderingwomanwithaknifeinmyhouse！Yououghttobeashamedofyourself！"
　　Isaacanswerednotaword。Hehuddledonhisclothes，andthentheywentdownstairstogether。
　　"Nighontwentyminutespasttwo！"saidthelandlord，astheypassedtheclock。"Anicetimeinthemorningtofrightenhonestpeopleoutoftheirwits！"
　　Isaacpaidhisbill，andthelandlordlethimoutatthefrontdoor，asking，withagrinofcontempt，asheundidthestrongfastenings，whether"themurderingwomangotinthatway。"
　　Theypartedwithoutawordoneitherside。Therainhadceased，butthenightwasdark，andthewindbleakerthanever。Littledidthedarkness，orthecold，ortheuncertaintyaboutthewayhomemattertoIsaac。Ifhehadbeenturnedoutintoawildernessinathunder—stormitwouldhavebeenareliefafterwhathehadsufferedinthebedroomoftheinn。
　　Whatwasthefairwomanwiththeknife？Thecreatureofadream，orthatothercreaturefromtheunknownworldcalledamongmenbythenameofghost？Hecouldmakenothingofthemystery——hadmadenothingofit，evenwhenitwasmiddayonWednesday，andwhenhestood，atlast，aftermanytimesmissinghisroad，oncemoreonthedoorstepofhome。
　　CHAPTERIII。
　　Hismothercameouteagerlytoreceivehim。
　　Hisfacetoldherinamomentthatsomethingwaswrong。
　　"I’velosttheplace；butthat’smyluck。Idreamedanilldreamlastnight，mother——ormaybeIsawaghost。Takeiteitherway，itscaredmeoutofmysenses，andI’mnotmyownmanagainyet。"
　　"Isaac，yourfacefrightensme。Comeintothefire——comein，andtellmotherallaboutit。"
　　Hewasasanxioustotellasshewastohear；forithadbeenhishope，allthewayhome，thathismother，withherquickercapacityandsuperiorknowledge，mightbeabletothrowsomelightonthemysterywhichhecouldnotclearupforhimself。Hismemoryofthedreamwasstillmechanicallyvivid，thoughhisthoughtswereentirelyconfusedbyit。
　　Hismother’sfacegrewpalerandpalerashewenton。Sheneverinterruptedhimbysomuchasasingleword；butwhenhehaddone，shemovedherchairclosetohis，putherarmroundhisneck，andsaidtohim：
　　"Isaac，youdreamedyourilldreamonthisWednesdaymorning。
　　Whattimewasitwhenyousawthefairwomanwiththeknifeinherhand？"Isaacreflectedonwhatthelandlordhadsaidwhentheyhadpassedbytheclockonhisleavingtheinn；allowedasnearlyashecouldforthetimethatmusthaveelapsedbetweentheunlockingofhisbedroomdoorandthepayingofhisbilljustbeforegoingaway，andanswered：
　　"Somewhereabouttwoo’clockinthemorning。"
　　Hismothersuddenlyquittedherholdofhisneck，andstruckherhandstogetherwithagestureofdespair。
　　"ThisWednesdayisyourbirthday，Isaac，andtwoo’clockinthemorningwasthetimewhenyouwereborn。"
　　Isaac’scapacitieswerenotquickenoughtocatchtheinfectionofhismother’ssuperstitiousdread。Hewasamazed，andalittlestartled，also，whenshesuddenlyrosefromherchair，openedheroldwriting—desk，tookpen，inkandpaper，andthensaidtohim：
　　"Yourmemoryisbutapoorone，Isaac，and，nowI’manoldwoman，mine’snotmuchbetter。Iwantallaboutthisdreamofyourstobeaswellknowntobothofus，yearshence，asitisnow。Tellmeoveragainallyoutoldmeaminuteago，whenyouspokeofwhatthewomanwiththeknifelookedlike。"
　　Isaacobeyed，andmarveledmuchashesawhismothercarefullysetdownonpapertheverywordsthathewassaying。
　　"Lightgrayeyes，"shewrote，astheycametothedescriptivepart，"withadroopinthelefteyelid；flaxenhair，withagold—yellowstreakinit；whitearms，withadownuponthem；
　　littlelady’shand，withareddishlookaboutthefingernails；
　　clasp—knifewithabuck—hornhandle，thatseemedasgoodasnew。"
　　TotheseparticularsMrs。Scatchardaddedtheyear，month，dayoftheweek，andtimeinthemorningwhenthewomanofthedreamappearedtoherson。Shethenlockedupthepapercarefullyinherwriting—desk。
　　Neitheronthatdaynoronanydayaftercouldhersoninducehertoreturntothematterofthedream。Sheobstinatelykeptherthoughtsaboutittoherself，andevenrefusedtoreferagaintothepaperinherwriting—desk。ErelongIsaacgrewwearyofattemptingtomakeherbreakherresolutesilence；andtime，whichsoonerorlaterwearsoutallthings，graduallyworeouttheimpressionproducedonhimbythedream。Hebeganbythinkingofitcarelessly，andheendedbynotthinkingofitatall。
　　Theresultwasthemoreeasilybroughtaboutbytheadventofsomeimportantchangesforthebetterinhisprospectswhichcommencednotlongafterhisterriblenight’sexperienceattheinn。Hereapedatlasttherewardofhislongandpatientsufferingunderadversitybygettinganexcellentplace，keepingitforsevenyears，andleavingit，onthedeathofhismaster，notonlywithanexcellentcharacter，butalsowithacomfortableannuitybequeathedtohimasarewardforsavinghismistress’slifeinacarriageaccident。ThusithappenedthatIsaacScatchardreturnedtohisoldmother，sevenyearsafterthetimeofthedreamattheinn，withanannualsumofmoneyathisdisposalsufficienttokeepthembothineaseandindependencefortherestoftheirlives。
　　Themother，whosehealthhadbeenbadoflateyears，profitedsomuchbythecarebestowedonherandbyfreedomfrommoneyanxieties，thatwhenIsaac’sbirthdaycameroundshewasabletositupcomfortablyattableanddinewithhim。
　　Onthatday，astheeveningdrewon，Mrs。Scatcharddiscoveredthatabottleoftonicmedicinewhichshewasaccustomedtotake，andinwhichshehadfanciedthatadoseormorewasstillleft，happenedtobeempty。Isaacimmediatelyvolunteeredtogotothechemist’sandgetitfilledagain。Itwasasrainyandbleakanautumnnightasonthememorablepastoccasionwhenhelosthiswayandsleptattheroad—sideinn。
　　Ongoingintothechemist’sshophewaspassedhurriedlybyapoorly—dressedwomancomingoutofit。Theglimpsehehadofherfacestruckhim，andhelookedbackafterherasshedescendedthedoor—steps。
　　"You’renoticingthatwoman？"saidthechemist’sapprenticebehindthecounter。"It’smyopinionthere’ssomethingwrongwithher。She’sbeenaskingforlaudanumtoputtoabadtooth。