During the course of my disease I had never seen him; and vague and unsatisfactory answers were returned to all my inquires.

I had vehemently interrogated Mrs.Hallet and her husband, and solicited an interview with this unfortunate man; but they mysteriously insinuated that his reason was still unsettled, and that his circumstances rendered an interview impossible.

Their reserve on the particulars of this destruction, and the author of it, was equally invincible.
For some time, finding all my efforts fruitless, I had desisted from direct inquiries and solicitations, determined, as soon as my strength was sufficiently renewed, to pursue other means of dispelling my uncertainty.

In this state of things my uncle's arrival and intention to visit me were announced.

I almost shuddered to behold the face of this man.