I retreated to my lodging, and slunk to my own room with a sense of abasement, of degradation, of infamy, I had never felt before. Mrs. Matthews, the woman of the house, who had answered the door to me, and had perceived my agitation, followed me up stairs. She inquired the cause, and was greatly shocked at the frightful contusion upon my temple. I told her all, for my heart was nigh bursting, and would be relieved. She hastened down stairs for an embrocation, which the good woman had always by her, and, returning with it, began to bathe my forehead. "Wouldn't I trounce the villain for it," she said, as she continued to apply the lotion. "What did you say, Mrs. Matthews?" and I suddenly looked up. "Why, that I'd have the rascal punished,--that's what I said. Hanging's too good for such a villain." The kind creature--I was a favourite of hers--talked a great deal more to the same effect, and at last left me to procure a bottle of rum, which, much to her surprise, for I was no drinker, I requested her to fetch me. How exquisite it was,--what a luxury to be left alone all to myself! Punished!--the woman had said truly,--he must be punished. They, too, must not escape. The ingratitude of the old man,--his insolence of ingratitude was almost as bad as the conduct of Steiner. After what I had done for him!--an old servant who had indeed served him!--who had refused a certainty, a respectable station in society, perhaps a fortune, for his sake! And he must escape,--he must go unpunished,--he must revel in the consciousness of the impunity of his insult? _No._ I swore that deeply; and, lest it should be possible that I could falter, or perhaps renounce my intention, I confirmed that oath with another, which I shudder to think of, and must not here set down. I emptied the bottle of rum, but I was not drunk. When I went to bed I was as sober as I am at this moment. I did not go to bed to sleep. My senses were in a strange ferment. The roof of my head seemed to open and shut, and I fancied I could hear the seething of my brain below. I presently fell into a kind of stupor. It was past midnight when I recovered from this swoon, and I started from the bed to my feet. Something had been whispering in my ear, and I listened for a moment in hideous expectation that the words--for I did hear words--would be repeated; but all was silent. I struck a light, and after a time became more composed. Even the furniture of the room was company to me. Before morning I had shaped my plan of revenge, and it was in accordance with the words that had been spoken to me. Oh, my God! what weak creatures we are! This fantasy possessed, pervaded me; it did not grow,--it did not increase from day to day,--it came, and it overcame me.