cast back from Charybdis.

_Souviens-toi de to Gabrielle_.

Guy Darrell turned hurriedly from the large house in the great square,
and, more and more absorbed in revery, he wandered out of his direct way
homeward, clear and broad though it was, and did not rouse himself till
he felt, as it were, that the air had grown darker; and looking vaguely
round, he saw that he had strayed into a dim maze of lanes and
passages. He paused under one of the rare lamp-posts, gathering up his
recollections of the London he had so long quitted, and doubtful for a
moment or two which turn to take. Just then, up from an alley fronting
him at right angles, came suddenly, warily, a tall, sinewy, ill-boding
tatterdemalion figure, and, seeing Darrell's face under the lamp, halted
abrupt at the mouth of the narrow passage from which it had emerged,--a
dark form filling up the dark aperture. Does that ragged wayfarer
recognize a foe by the imperfect ray of the lamplight? or is he a mere
vulgar footpad, who is doubting whether he should spring upon a prey?
Hostile his look, his gestures, the sudden cowering down of the strong
frame as if for a bound; but still he is irresolute. What awes him? What
awes the tiger, who would obey his blood-instinct without fear, in his
rush on the Negro, the Hindoo; but who halts and hesitates at the sight
of the white man, the lordly son of Europe? Darrell's eye was turned
towards the dark passage, towards the dark figure,--carelessly, neither
recognizing nor fearing nor defying,--carelessly, as at any harmless
object in crowded streets and at broad day. But while that eye was on
him, the tatterdemalion halted; and indeed, whatever his hostility,
or whatever his daring, the sight of Darrell took him by so sudden
a surprise that he could not at once re-collect his thoughts, and
determine how to approach the quiet unconscious man, who, in reach of
his spring, fronted his overwhelming physical strength with the habitual
air of dignified command. His first impulse was that of violence; his
second impulse curbed the first. But Darrell now turns quickly, and
walks straight on; the figure quits the mouth of the passage, and
follows with a long and noiseless stride. It has nearly gained Darrell.
With what intent? A fierce one, perhaps,--for the man's face is
sinister, and his state evidently desperate,--when there emerges
unexpectedly from an ugly looking court or cul-de-sac, just between
Darrell and his pur