There was no other alternative than subjection or insanity.
It had been raining all the day long, in a ceaseless, driving torrent, which had kept the streets clear of passengers.

I could see nothing but wet flag-stones, with little pools of water lodging in every hollow, in which the rain-drops splashed heavily whenever the storm grew more in earnest.

Now and then a tradesman's cart, or a cab, with their drivers wrapped in mackintoshes, dashed past; and I watched them till they were out of my sight.

It had been the dreariest of days.

My eyes had followed the course of solitary drops rolling down the window-panes, until my head ached.