His great face--he was a large man--had suffered recent ill-usage, and was swollen and discoloured, one eye being as good as closed.

He was unshaven, his hair was ill-kempt, his doublet unfastened at the throat, and torn and stained besides.

Despite the cold--for the morning was sharp and frosty, though free from wind--there were half a dozen packmen drinking and squabbling before the inn, while the beasts they drove quenched their thirst at the trough.

But these men seemed with one accord to leave him in possession of the bench at which he sat; nor did I wonder much at this when I saw the morose and savage glance which he shot at me as I approached.

Whether he read my first impressions in my face, or for some other reason felt distaste for my company, I could not determine.