A COMMUNICATION OF IMPORTANCE Norman's dark wet walk did him physically no harm, and morally some good.

He started on it in that frame of mind which induces a man to look with indifference on all coming evils under the impression that the evils already come are too heavy to admit of any increase.

But by the time that he was thoroughly wet through, well splashed with mud, and considerably fatigued by his first five or six miles' walk, he began to reflect that life was not over with him, and that he must think of future things as well as those that were past.
He got home about two o'clock, and having knocked up his landlady, Mrs.Richards, betook himself to bed.

Alaric had been in his room for the last two hours, but of Charley and his latch-key Mrs.Richards knew nothing.

She stated her belief, however, that two a.m.seldom saw that erratic gentleman in his bed.
On the following morning, Alaric, when he got his hot water, heard that Norman returned during the night from Hampton, and he immediately guessed what had brought him back.