cers, which so enraged me that I
knocked down the fellow with a blow of my fist. For this I was
apprehended the same day by three gendarmes, and carried before the
Syndic, who condemned me to suffer two weeks' close confinement, and to
be fed on bread and water. This punishment, though perhaps not
disproportioned to the offence, was, in my estimation, horribly severe;
and now, for the first time, did I feel regret for the absurdity of my
conduct. I found that in endeavouring to punish Wolstang I was in truth
only punishing myself, and that it was a matter of doubt whether he
would ever submit to a corporeal change, seeing that my fortune was much
more considerable than his own, and that he would come at it in the
course of six months. This I had no doubt was the chief consideration
which could have induced the fellow to bring about such a metamorphosis.

On getting out of prison I was the most miserable wretch on earth. The
fierce desire of vengeance had formerly kept up my spirits; but this was
now gone, and they sank to the lowest pitch. I found that I was spurned
by those very persons who were before most anxious to cultivate my
friendship. Barnabas and Louise had left me, resolving no longer to
serve one who had undergone the punishment of a malefactor. In order to
clear up matters, I frequently called at my own house to inquire if I
myself was at home--for so was I obliged to speak of the miscreant who
had possession of my body; but on every occasion I was answered in the
negative. "I had gone out to see a friend in town;" "I had gone to the
country;" "I was expected soon." Never by any possibility could I get a
sight of myself. All this convinced me that the case was hopeless, and
that I must make the best of my deplorable situation. Wolstang had
evidently played my part much better than I did his, for he had an
interest in doing so, and was (thanks to my simplicity) intimately
acquainted with the state of my affairs. If anything could add to this
irritation, it was to notice the improvements, or rather changes, which
the fellow was making in my house. Everything was turned upside down.
Many of the most valuable books in my library were brought to the
hammer, and replaced by more modern works. Some antique MSS. found among
the ruins of Pompeii, and on which I set a high value, were disposed of
in the same manner; together with my porphyry snuff-box, my mother's
diamond ring, my illuminated missal, and Arabic autogr