reason, refused to lend itself to such imaginations--and though I

endeavoured to play the antic to myself, I knew that I, the offspring of

man, during long years one among many--now remained sole survivor of my

species.

The sun sank behind the western hills; I had fasted since the preceding

evening, but, though faint and weary, I loathed food, nor ceased, while yet

a ray of light remained, to pace the lonely streets. Night came on, and

sent every living creature but me to the bosom of its mate. It was my

solace, to blunt my mental agony by personal hardship--of the thousand

beds around, I would not seek the luxury of one; I lay down on the

pavement,--a cold marble step served me for a pillow--midnight came;

and then, though not before, did my wearied lids shut out the sight of the

twinkling stars, and their reflex on the pavement near. Thus I passed the

second night of my desolation.

589

The Last Man