irandtumultwhichthetransactionofthelasthalf-hourhadthereexcited.Ionlythoughtofwalking,thattheactionofmymusclesmightharmonizewiththeactionofmynervesandwalkIdid,fastandfar.HowcouldIdootherwise?AloadwasliftedoffmyheartIfeltlightandliberated.IhadgotawayfromBigbenClosewithoutabreachofresolutionwithoutinjurytomyself-respect.Ihadnotforcedcircumstancescircumstanceshadfreedme.LifewasagainopentomenolongerwasitshorizonlimitedbythehighblackwallsurroundingCrimsworth’smill.TwohourshadelapsedbeforemysensationshadsofarsubsidedastoleavemecalmenoughtoremarkforwhatwiderandclearerboundariesIhadexchangedthatsootygirdle.WhenIdidlookup,lo!straightbeforemelayGrovetown,avillageofvillasaboutfivemilesoutofX——.Theshortwinterday,asIperceivedfromthefar-declinedsun,wasalreadyapproachingitscloseachillfrost-mistwasrisingfromtheriveronwhichX——stands,andalongwhosebankstheroadIhadtakenlayitdimmedtheearth,butdidnotobscuretheclearicyblueoftheJanuarysky.Therewasagreatstillnessnearandfarthetimeofthedayfavouredtranquillity,asthepeoplewereallemployedwithin-doors,thehourofeveningreleasefromthefactoriesnotbeingyetarrivedasoundoffull-flowingwateralonepervadedtheair,fortheriverwasdeepandabundant,swelledbythemeltingofalatesnow.Istoodawhile,leaningoverawallandlookingdownatthecurrent:Iwatchedtherapidrushofitswaves.Idesiredmemorytotakeaclearandpermanentimpressionofthescene,andtreasureitforfutureyears.Grovetownchurchclockstruckfourlookingup,Ibeheldthelastofthatday’ssun,glintingredthroughtheleaflessboughsofsomeveryoldoaktreessurroundingthechurch—itslightcolouredandcharacterizedthepictureasIwished.Ipausedyetamoment,tillthesweet,slowsoundofthebellhadquitediedoutoftheairthenear,eyeandfeelingsatisfied,IquittedthewallandoncemoreturnedmyfacetowardsX——.