at the career I was about to
enter; only a rapid flight could save me. I resolved on this flight; I
had already stretched my hand towards the ladder, but at once there was
a thunder in my ears, a noise about me like the scornful laughter of
hell, and it seemed to say: 'What can a murderer risk?' My arm fell
back as if paralysed. I had reckoned rightly, the time for repentance
had passed, the murder I had committed lay towering up behind me like a
rock, and cut off my retreat for ever. At the same time my conductor
re-appeared and told me I might come. There was now no longer any
choice. I clambered down.

"We had proceeded some steps, beneath the wall of the rock, when the
ground became wider and some huts were visible. In the midst of these
was a round grass plat, on which about eighteen or twenty persons were
lying round a charcoal fire. 'Here comrades,' said my conductor,
placing me in the centre of the circle. 'Our host of the Sun! Bid him
welcome!'

"'The host of the Sun!' cried all at once, and they all--men and
women--rose and pressed round me. Shall I confess it. The joy was
hearty and unaffected, confidence, nay, esteem appeared in every face;
one pressed my hand, another familiarly shook me by my coat--the whole
scene resembled that at the re-appearance of an old and valued friend.
My arrival had interrupted the feast, which they had just begun. They
now continued it, and invited me to pledge the welcome. Game of all
kinds formed the meal, and the wine flask passed without flagging from
hand to hand. Good cheer and unity seemed to animate the entire band,
and the contest among them all was who should show the most extravagant
delight at my arrival.

"They had seated me between two women, which was the post of honour at
the table. I expected to find the refuse of their sex, but how great
was my astonishment when I discovered among this infamous troop the
most beautiful female forms that my eyes had ever beheld. Margaret,
the eldest and most beautiful of the two, was called Miss, and could
scarcely have been five-and-twenty. Her words were very bold, and her
gestures still more so. Maria, the younger, was married, but she had
fled from a husband, who had ill-used her. She was more elegant, but
pale and delicate-looking, and less striking to the eye than her fiery
neighbour. Both women strove hard to excite my passion. The beautiful
Margaret endeavoured to overcome my bashfulness by loos