On the death of an acquaintance, more his friend than he imagined, the wayworn man of letters learnt with astonishment that there was bequeathed to him a life annuity of three hundred pounds.

一个熟人，比他想象的还要亲近的熟人去世，风尘仆仆的文人惊奇地得知有人遗赠他三百英镑的终生年金。

But seeing the ring they bowed before him, though he was in evil plight, wild and wayworn; and they led him northward and westward, going by night lest their paths should be revealed.

但是他们看到向他鞠躬，尽管他处于邪恶的困境中，狂野而破败;他们领着他向北和向西走，趁着夜色走，免得他们的路被人发现。