Even in health my condition was helpless and forlorn; but what would become of me should this fatal malady be contracted?
To hope that an asylum would be afforded to a sick man, which was denied to one in health, was unreasonable.
The first impulse which flowed from these reflections was to hasten back to _Malverton_; which, with sufficient diligence, I might hope to regain before the morning light.

I could not, methought, return upon my steps with too much speed.

I was prompted to run, as if the pest was rushing upon me and could be eluded only by the most precipitate flight.
This impulse was quickly counteracted by new ideas.

I thought with indignation and shame on the imbecility of my proceeding.

I called up the images of Susan Hadwin, and of Wallace.