And as I uttered these latter words the stranger touched rapidly something which lay near him--I forget what it was. It was the first action of the kind which I had observed on his part since we sat down to table. "You allude to the evil chance," said I; "but it is getting both dark and late." "I believe we are going to have a storm," said my friend, "but I really hope that you will give me your company for a day or two; I have, as I said before, much to talk to you about." "Well," said I, "I shall be most happy to be your guest for this night; I am ignorant of the country, and it is not pleasant to travel unknown paths by night--dear me, what a flash of lightning!" It had become very dark; suddenly a blaze of sheet lightning illumed the room. By the momentary light I distinctly saw my host touch another object upon the table. "Will you allow me to ask you a question or two?" said he at last. "As many as you please," said I; "but shall we not have lights?" "Not unless you particularly wish it," said my entertainer; "I rather like the dark, and though a storm is evidently at hand, neither thunder nor lightning has any terrors for me. It is other things I quake at--I should rather say ideas. Now permit me to ask you . . ." And then my entertainer asked me various questions, to all of which I answered unreservedly; he was then silent for some time, at last he exclaimed, "I should wish to tell you the history of my life--though not an adventurous one, I think it contains some things which will interest you." Without waiting for my reply he began. Amidst darkness and gloom, occasionally broken by flashes of lightning, the stranger related to me, as we sat at table in the library, his truly touching history.