There was little room for hope; but certainty was wanting, and might, perhaps, be obtained by entering the house.

In some of the upper rooms a wretched being might be immured; by whom the information, so earnestly desired, might be imparted, and to whom my presence might bring relief, not only from pestilence, but famine.

For a moment, I forgot my own necessitous condition, and reflected not that abstinence had already undermined my strength.
I proceeded to knock at the door.

That my signal was unnoticed produced no surprise.

The door was unlocked, and I opened.