what should I do at Horncastle with a pair of
broken knees? I struggled, but I could not disengage my off fore foot,
and downward I fell, but before I had reached the ground I awoke, and
found myself half out of bed, my bandaged arm in considerable pain, and
my left hand just touching the floor.

With some difficulty I readjusted myself in bed. It was now early
morning, and the first rays of the sun were beginning to penetrate the
white curtains of a window on my left, which probably looked into a
garden, as I caught a glimpse or two of the leaves of trees through a
small uncovered part at the side. For some time I felt uneasy and
anxious, my spirits being in a strange fluttering state. At last my eyes
fell upon a small row of tea-cups, seemingly of china, which stood on a
mantelpiece exactly fronting the bottom of the bed. The sight of these
objects, I know not why, soothed and pacified me; I kept my eyes fixed
upon them, as I lay on my back on the bed, with my head upon the pillow,
till at last I fell into a calm and refreshing sleep.

CHAPTER XXXII.

THE MORNING AFTER A FALL--THE TEAPOT--UNPRETENDING HOSPITALITY--THE
CHINESE STUDENT.

It might be about eight o'clock in the morning when I was awakened by the
entrance of the old man. "How have you rested?" said he, coming up to
the bedside and looking me in the face. "Well," said I, "and I feel much
better, but I am still very sore." I surveyed him now for the first time
with attention. He was dressed in a sober-coloured suit, and was
apparently between sixty and seventy. In stature he was rather above the
middle height, but with a slight stoop, his features were placid, and
expressive of much benevolence, but, as it appeared to me, with rather a
melancholy cast--as I gazed upon them, I felt ashamed that I should ever
have conceived in my brain a vision like that of the preceding night, in
which he appeared in so disadvantageous a light. At length he said, "It
is now time for you to take some refreshment. I hear my old servant
coming up with your breakfast." In a moment the elderly female entered
with a tray, on which was some bread and butter, a teapot and cup. The
cup was of common blue earthenware, but the pot was of china, curiously
fashioned, and seemingly of great antiquity. The old man poured me out a
cupful of tea, and then, with the assistance of the woman, raised me
higher, and propped me up with pillows. I ate and drank; when the