And she proceeded to prepare the meal. The ladies rose; they seemed about to withdraw to the parlour. Till this moment, I had been so intent on watching them, their appearance and conversation had excited in me so keen an interest, I had half-forgotten my own wretched position: now it recurred to me. More desolate, more desperate than ever, it seemed from contrast. And how impossible did it appear to touch the inmates of this house with concern on my behalf; to make them believe in the truth of my wants and woes--to induce them to vouchsafe a rest for my wanderings! As I groped out the door, and knocked at it hesitatingly, I felt that last idea to be a mere chimera. Hannah opened.

     "What do you want?" she inquired, in a voice of surprise, as she surveyed me by the light of the candle she held.

     "May I speak to your mistresses?" I said.

     "You had better tell me what you have to say to them. Where do you come from?"

     "I am a stranger."

     "What is your business here at this hour?"

     "I want a night's shelter in an out-house or anywhere, and a morsel of bread to eat."