CONSORTIUM

the English language chopped up in that way. However, I managed to un-

derstand and to be understood, so far as to get myself and trunk safely con-

veyed to the old inn whereof I had the address. How difficult, how oppres-

sive, how puzzling seemed my flight! In London for the first time; at an inn

for the first time; tired with travelling; confused with darkness; palsied with

cold; unfurnished with either experience or advice to tell me how to act, and

yet— to act obliged.

Into the hands of common sense I confided the matter. Common sense,

however, was as chilled and bewildered as all my other faculties, and it was

only under the spur of an inexorable necessity that she spasmodically exe-

cuted her trust. Thus urged, she paid the porter: considering the crisis, I did

not blame her too much that she was hugely cheated; she asked the waiter