On both
of those occasions he came back to the fire with the inexplicable air
upon him which I had remarked, without being able to define, when we
were so far asunder.
Said I, when I rose to leave him, "You almost make me think that I have
met with a contented man."
(I am afraid I must acknowledge that I said it to lead him on.)
"I believe I used to be so," he rejoined, in the low voice in which
he had first spoken; "but I am troubled, sir, I am troubled."
He would have recalled the words if he could. He had said them, however,
and I took them up quickly.
"With what? What is your trouble?"
"It is very difficult to impart, sir. It is very, very difficult to
speak of. If ever you make me another visit, I will try to tell you."
"But I expressly intend to make you another visit. Say, when shall it
be?"
"I go off early in the morning, and I shall be on again at ten to-morrow
night, sir."
"I will come at eleven."
He thanked me, and went out at the door with me. "I'll show my white
light, sir," he said, in his peculiar low voice, "till you have found
the way up.
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