whose very title I did not know, calculated to attract
me more than the rest? yet something within told me that my fate was
connected with the book which had been last brought; so, after looking on
the packet from my corner for a considerable time, I got up and went to
the table.

The packet was lying where it had been left--I took it up; had the
envelope, which consisted of whitish brown paper, been secured by a
string or a seal I should not have opened it, as I should have considered
such an act almost in the light of a crime; the books, however, had been
merely folded up, and I therefore considered that there could be no
possible harm in inspecting them, more especially as I had received no
injunction to the contrary. Perhaps there was something unsound in this
reasoning, something sophistical; but a child is sometimes as ready as a
grown-up person in finding excuses for doing that which he is inclined to
do. But whether the action was right or wrong, and I am afraid it was
not altogether right, I undid the packet: it contained three books; two
from their similarity seemed to be separate parts of one and the same
work; they were handsomely bound, and to them I first turned my
attention. I opened them successively, and endeavoured to make out their
meaning; their contents, however, as far as I was able to understand
them, were by no means interesting; whoever pleases may read these books
for me, and keep them too, into the bargain, said I to myself.

I now took up the third book: it did not resemble the others, being
longer and considerably thicker; the binding was of dingy calf-skin. I
opened it, and as I did so another strange thrill of pleasure shot
through my frame. The first object on which my eyes rested was a
picture; it was exceedingly well executed, at least the scene which it
represented made a vivid impression upon me, which would hardly have been
the case had the artist not been faithful to nature. A wild scene it
was--a heavy sea and rocky shore, with mountains in the background, above
which the moon was peering. Not far from the shore, upon the water, was
a boat with two figures in it, one of which stood at the bow, pointing
with what I knew to be a gun at a dreadful shape in the water; fire was
flashing from the muzzle of the gun, and the monster appeared to be
transfixed. I almost thought I heard its cry. I remained motionless,
gazing upon the picture, scarcely daring to draw my breath, lest