Accustomed all her life to respect, to admiration, to the courtesy of men, she could not stoop to the spirit of servitude.

It was this effort to humble herself, to compel remembrance, which caused her to speak of herself so often as a slave.
These thoughts assailed, pursued me, as I crept cautiously down the steep bank, concealed by the shadows of the rushes.

Yet in reality I remained intent enough upon my purpose.

Although unable to wholly banish all memory of the young girl just left behind, I still realized the gravity of my task, and my eyes were watchful of the shrouded figure I was silently approaching.

I drew nearer inch by inch, advancing so slowly, and snake-like, that not even the slightest sound of movement aroused suspicion.