He spread his knees to the brands, lit up his tobacco as he had said, and sat gazing into the fire, and at the notches of the chimney- crook which hung above.
An occasional drop of rain rolled down the chimney with a hiss, and still he smoked on; but not like a man whose mind was at rest.

In the long run, however, despite his meditations, early hours afield and a long ride in the open air produced their natural result.

He began to doze.
How long he remained in this half-unconscious state he did not know.

He suddenly opened his eyes.

The back-brand had burnt itself in two, and ceased to flame; the light which he had placed on the mantelpiece had nearly gone out.