resolved to journey, was my last hope for her preservation. The

preparations for our departure, which had been suspended during my illness,

were renewed. I did not revive to doubtful convalescence; health spent her

treasures upon me; as the tree in spring may feel from its wrinkled limbs

the fresh green break forth, and the living sap rise and circulate, so did

the renewed vigour of my frame, the cheerful current of my blood, the

new-born elasticity of my limbs, influence my mind to cheerful endurance

and pleasurable thoughts. My body, late the heavy weight that bound me to

the tomb, was exuberant with health; mere common exercises were

insufficient for my reviving strength; methought I could emulate the speed

of the race-horse, discern through the air objects at a blinding distance,

hear the operations of nature in her mute abodes; my senses had become so

refined and susceptible after my recovery from mortal disease.

Hope, among my other blessings, was not denied to me; and I did fondly

trust that my unwearied attentions would restore my adored girl. I was

therefore eager to forward our preparations. According to the plan first

laid down, we were to have quitted London on the twenty-fifth of November;

and, in pursuance of this scheme, two-thirds of our people--thepeople--

all that remained of England, had gone forward, and had already been some

weeks in Paris. First my illness, and subsequently that of Idris, had

detained Adrian with his division, which consisted of three hundred

persons, so that we now departed on the first of January, 2098. It was my

wish to keep Idris as distant as possible from the hurry and clamour of the

crowd, and to hide from her those appearances that would remind her most

forcibly of our real situation. We separated ourselves to a great degree

453

The Last Man