And then he brought in his companion to the bright room where I had been trimming the fire, and spreading the table for _him_, meaning to open all my mind and thoughts, to confess my sins against him, to make of this once cold abiding-place a genial household hearth--he brought in here the stranger whom I had never seen before. The new comer took the very chair I had placed for Edgar, and spread out his hands over the cheerful fire. I am afraid to say how I felt towards him, and how his evident comfort and commonplace satisfaction excited me. They sat down together to the table--they began to talk of their business, which I knew nothing of. _I_ was rather an unexpected embarrassment to my husband--he had no need then of _me_. So I withdrew to my room, sick at heart--mortified, disappointed, wounded--feeling all my efforts thrown away. I could have borne it better, I think, but for the comfortable aspect of that stranger seated in my husband's chair. I think I could have done him an injury with satisfaction and pleasure. I felt a ludicrous grudge against him mingle with my serious trouble. And this was how this strange day of trial, hope, and resolution came to an end. THE TENTH DAY. I had been asleep--this was a privilege which seemed to belong to my perfect health and vigor of frame--for even in the midst of my troubles I could sleep. I woke up suddenly in the grey and feeble daylight of the winter morning to remember, in a moment, everything that had occurred last night. My own great vexation and disappointment were far enough off now to bear a calmer contemplation, and I started up suddenly inspired with the growing purpose in my heart. I could not see how it was to be done, nor what my first step should be, but I felt, as if by an inspiration, that somehow, however hard it was, the wall of division between us must be broken down to-day. I hastened my simple morning toilette, and went immediately down stairs. Breakfast was on the table--breakfast! how strange, in the midst of agitation and excitement like mine, seemed these common necessities of life. And there was the same chair standing in the same position as I had placed it for Edgar last night. Patience! but the recollection of the stranger in the house came over me like a cold shadow--what if he should come to interrupt us again?