What were the feelings that preyed upon him?
He hardly knew.

His heart was desolate.

His life seemed to be losing its hope, or his hope its object.

And not yet had he reached the worst.

Some dread forewarning of a sterner fate seemed to hang above him.
Rising, Ralph threw off his shoes, and drew on a pair of stouter ones.
Then he laced up a pair of leathern leggings, and, taking down a heavy cloak from behind the door, he put it across his arm.