Page:Edgar Huntly, or The Sleep Walker.djvu/136

 ? I could not reconcile the former incident with the attributes of man; and yet a secret faith, not to be outrooted or suspended, swayed me, and compelled me to imagine that the detection of this visitant would unveil the thief.

These thoughts were pregnant with dejection and reverie. Clithero, during the day, was forgotten: on the succeeding night my intentions with regard to this man returned. I derived some slender consolation from reflecting that time, in its long lapse and ceaseless revolutions, might dissipate the gloom that environed me. Meanwhile I struggled to dismiss the images connected with my loss, and to think only of Clithero.

My impatience was as strong as ever to obtain another interview with this man: I longed with vehemence for the return of day; I believed that every moment added to his sufferings, intellectual and physical, and confided in the efficacy of my presence to alleviate or suspend them. The provisions I had left would be speedily consumed, and the abstinence of three days was sufficient to undermine the vital energies. I sometimes hesitated whether I ought not instantly to depart; it was night, indeed, but the late storm had purified the air, and the radiance of a full moon was universal and dazzling.

From this attempt I was deterred by reflecting that my own frame needed the repairs of sleep: toil and watchfulness, if prolonged another day, would deeply injure a constitution by no means distinguished for its force; I must therefore compel, if it were possible, some hours of repose. I prepared to retire to bed, when a new incident occurred to divert my attention for a time from these designs.

sitting alone by the parlour fire marking the effects of moonlight, I noted one on horseback coming towards the gate: at first sight methought his shape and guise were not wholly new to me; but all that I could discern was merely