I had grown old very fast under the influences that had come into my life since then.

Indeed, I was now a man, whereas I had been only a boy when I left England.

But Rayel was with me now, and that repaid me for all I had suffered.

What would he have done in that lonely mansion after his father's death?
For hours my mind was occupied with these reflections, and at length I determined to dress myself and go on deck.
Rayel awoke while I was dressing and decided to go with me.
We found the decks thronged with people, and the ship's crew were bustling about, getting ready to sail.

We stood near the gangway, facing the dock.