I gave little thought to the quarrel or to the meeting that awaited me.

My mind was engrossed with the revelation to which I had listened.

I doubted it still; nay, I would not believe it.
Yet whence came the story unless it were true?
And it seemed to fit most aptly and most lamentably with what had befallen me, and to throw light on what had been a puzzle.

It was hard on four years since I had parted from Cydaria; but that night I felt that, if the thing were true, I should receive Carford's point in my heart without a pang.
Being, as may be supposed, little inclined for sleep, I turned into the public room of the inn and called for a bottle of wine.

The room was empty save for a lanky fellow, very plainly dressed, who sat at the table reading a book.