38 A Leaf from my Autobiography. Jury, 
seemed to have arrived. I had been for a long while ruminating alone 
in the coach, and, between sleeping and waking, had collected, in greater 
abundance and fancifulness than usual, those romantic visions which 
were become a natural part of my mind; and, without any other 
prompter than instinct, it seemed to me that this stranger was the ideal 
being I had feigned to myself, as representing in another person, the 
attributes and marks of my own character. Awkwardly at first, but 
tumultuously, and with much eloquence, as our conversation advanced, 
did I throw open the recesses of my spirit, to be recognised and reflected 
by my dear companion. She had to contend with the restrictions im- 
posed by the modesty of her sex, but I forgave them all, and saw through 
the transparent veil thus thrown over her real character. I assured, and 
I believe, convinced her, that we were made for each other ; the few 
monosyllables she uttered were perfect indexes of the truth of my state- 
ment ; and she listened to my fervid protestations with a generous silence 
that flattered my vanity. I was a happy man, I forgot the whole series 
of my past afflictions, and wrapt in the pleasure of my discovery, foresaw 
a conclusion to my life full of sentimental bliss, and real contentment.— 
What plans I formed, and what I communicated, need not now be told : 
the tender-hearted will imagine all I would divulge. The lady listened, 
and gently sighed, and suffered me to change my seat, so as to approach 
her more nearly ; and thus passed away some hours of most exquisite 
delight, of pleasure so intense as to overpower and fatigue me.—I fell 
presently asleep, with the lady by my side, perhaps overcome, like 
myself, with a gentle weariness. 
The coach stopped with a sudden jerk, and I started from my repose. 
I looked towards the window, and could discover that we had arrived at 
the town of Henley. Day had dawned, and thrifty folks were opening 
their shutters, as the town itself seemed yawning for its last time before 
the commencement of its daily occupations. Several idlers were loitering 
at the inn-door, unwashed, and stretching themselves. The guard passed 
the window, wrapped up in a night-kerchief, and blinking, with eyes 
scarce opened from their late dozing. All looked sleepy, head-achy, and 
uncleanly. Turning from this wretched prospect, I saw, for the first 
time, the lady’s hand still lodged in my own ; but—oh, horror ! what 
had never before occurred to me—it was the ominous hand, and the third 
finger, on which I observed the seal of all misery—a marriage ring! She 
was still asleep ; and, without disturbing her, I so changed my position 
as to catch a view of her features. Years had done something; but I 
could not be deceived ; the imperious expression still remained ;—it was 
my own wife ! 
I jumped from the coach, hurried into a chaise, and, during the con- 
tinuance of my journey, made oaths of eternal solitude. 
