Then he ceased to hear anything that was going on, for his thoughts had run to the adjoining house and his experiences there, but only to be succeeded by an indescribable sensation of dread--a singular feeling of malaise which troubled his faculties. It was like a portent of something hanging over him, or over her who occupied so much of his thoughts. "I can't stay here," he said to himself. "I must get out into the open air. This place makes me feel sick and faint." He picked up one of the many books lying about, and threw it down again impatiently, to walk to the door, where he could hear the old student directing the men who had brought the consignment; while from the sounds it was evident that they were carrying the chests or whatever they were, down into the basement. Feeling that it would be rude to interrupt his host then, he went back to the table. "What is the matter with me?" he muttered, as he shivered involuntarily. "Is it from cold, or from over-thought and worry? Not going to be ill, am I, and at such a time?" "I know," he thought, at the end of a few minutes; "it is this place. The air is close and mephitic. I don't believe the windows are ever open. I cannot stay here. I feel as if I should faint. Rude or not, I must go." He had sunk into a chair, and now started up, just as the old man re-entered. "Just done," he said cheerfully. "One moment. Heavy boxes, and these men like to have a glass. Not my old port, though. They would not appreciate it. A little of this--a little of this brandy." He kept on talking softly as he took out a bottle and glasses from a cellarette, filled a couple, set the bottle down again, and carried the glasses out; and as the door swung to, Chester caught up the bottle quickly, held it to his lips, and gulped down a mouthful. "Hah!" he muttered, as he set the brandy down and sank back in the chair; "that is stimulating. But how strange that I should feel like this. Ugh!" He shuddered, for a cold chill ran through him, and the sensation of fear increased. "Can it be something threatening her?" he muttered. "How strange! I have not felt like this since I lost my first patient," and the chill of coming dissolution seemed to hang in the air. "Pooh! Fancy. It is a slight chill. That brandy will soon take it off." The voices reached him again, and the steps were heard outside; then the front door was closed, and the old man came in smiling. "Always at such inconvenient times," he said. "Generally when I am studying some intricate passage by an old author; but to-day when I have had my first visitor for months. I'm afraid you have found me very long." "Oh no, don't name it," said Chester, hurriedly, "but--" "Ah! your kindness of heart makes you speak thus," said the old man, hastily. "Two heavy chests of books, and I was obliged to make the men take them downstairs, or they would block the passage. But now for the glass of wine and our chat."