I believe at first they thought I was a servant; but in a little while they changed their minds, and hovered in a doubtful state between patronage and politeness.
I kept up well till I had partaken of some refreshment, warmed myself by a fire, and was fairly shut into my own room; but, as I sat down by the bed and rested my head and arms on the pillow, a terrible oppression overcame me.

All at once my position rose on me like a ghost.

Anomalous, desolate, almost blank of hope it stood.

What was I doing here alone in great London?
What should I do on the morrow?
What prospects had I in life?
What friends had I on, earth?
Whence did I come?
Whither should I go?
What should I do?
I wet the pillow, my arms, and my hair, with rushing tears.

A dark interval of most bitter thought followed this burst; but I did not regret the step taken, nor wish to retract it A strong, vague persuasion that it was better to go forward than backward, and that I _could_ go forward--that a way, however narrow and difficult, would in time open--predominated over other feelings: its influence hushed them so far, that at last I became sufficiently tranquil to be able to say my prayers and seek my couch.