Wallace was alive,
and had returned, that she leaped upon her feet and rushed down-stairs.
How little did that man deserve so strenuous and immortal an affection!

I would not allow myself to ponder on the sufferings of these women. I
endeavoured to think only of the best expedients for putting an end to
these calamities. After a moment's deliberation I determined to go to a
house at some miles' distance; the dwelling of one who, though not
exempt from the reigning panic, had shown more generosity towards these
unhappy girls than others. During my former abode in this district, I
had ascertained his character, and found him to be compassionate and
liberal.

Overpowered by fatigue and watching, Eliza was no sooner relieved, by my
presence, of some portion of her cares, than she sunk into profound
slumber. I directed Caleb to watch the house till my return, which
should be before midnight, and then set out for the dwelling of Mr.
Ellis.

The weather was temperate and moist, and rendered the footing of the
meadows extremely difficult. The ground, that had lately been frozen and
covered with snow, was now changed into gullies and pools, and this was
no time to be fastidious in the choice of paths. A brook, swelled by the
recent _thaw_, was likewise to be passed. The rail which I had formerly
placed over it by way of bridge had disappeared, and I was obliged to
wade through it. At length I approached the house to which I was going.

At so late an hour, farmers and farmers' servants are usually abed, and
their threshold is intrusted to their watch-dogs. Two belonged to Mr.
Ellis, whose ferocity and vigilance were truly formidable to a stranger;
but I hoped that in me they would recognise an old acquaintance, and
suffer me to approach. In this I was not mistaken. Though my person
could not be distinctly seen by starlight, they seemed to scent me from
afar, and met me with a thousand caresses.

Approaching the house, I perceived that its tenants were retired to
their repose. This I expected, and hastened to awaken Mr. Ellis, by
knocking briskly at the door. Presently he looked out of a window above,
and, in answer to his inquiries, in which impatience at being so
unseasonably disturbed was mingled with anxiety, I told him my name, and
entreated him to come down and allow me a few minutes' conversation. He
speedily dressed himself, and, opening the kitchen door, we seated
ourselves before the fire.

My appearance was suf