Wingedbythishope，andgoadedbythesefears，Ihurriedhomewardstoprepareformydepartureonthemorrow。Itoldmymotherthaturgentbusinesswhichadmittednodelay，butwhichIcouldnotthenexplain，calledmeawaytothelastlargetownthroughwhichIhadtopass。Mydeepanxietyandseriouspreoccupation，couldnotbeconcealedfromhermaternaleyes；
andIhadmuchadotocalmherapprehensionsofsomedisastrousmystery。
Thatnighttherecameaheavyfallofsnow，whichsoretardedtheprogressofthecoachesonthefollowingday，thatIwasalmostdriventodistraction。Itravelledallnightofcourse，forthiswasWednesday：
tomorrowmorning，doubtless，themarriagewouldtakeplace。Butthenightwaslonganddark；thesnowheavilycloggedthewheelsandballedthehorses’
feet；theanimalswereconsumedlylazy，thecoachmenmostexecrablycautious，thepassengersconfoundedlyapatheticintheirsupineindifferencetotherateofourprogression。Insteadofassistingmetobullytheseveralcoachmenandurgethemforward，theymerelystaredandgrinnedatmyimpatience：