CHAPTERI。
THEGOVERNOREXPLAINS。
ATtherequestofapersonwhohasclaimsonmethatImustnotdisown，IconsenttolookbackthroughalongintervalofyearsandtodescribeeventswhichtookplacewithinthewallsofanEnglishprisonduringtheearlierperiodofmyappointmentasGovernor。
Viewingmytaskbythelightwhichlaterexperiencecastsonit，IthinkIshallactwiselybyexercisingsomecontroloverthefreedomofmypen。
Iproposetopassoverinsilencethenameofthetowninwhichissituatedtheprisononceconfidedtomycare。Ishallobserveasimilardiscretioninalludingtoindividuals——somedead，someliving，atthepresenttime。
Beingobligedtowriteofawomanwhodeservedlysufferedtheextremepenaltyofthelaw，IthinkshewillbesufficientlyidentifiedifIcallherThePrisoner。Ofthefourpersonspresentontheeveningbeforeherexecutionthreemaybedistinguishedonefromtheotherbyallusiontotheirvocationsinlife。IhereintroducethemasTheChaplain，TheMinister，andTheDoctor。Thefourthwasayoungwoman。Shehasnoclaimonmyconsideration；and，whensheismentioned，hernamemayappear。
Ifthesereservesexcitesuspicion，Ideclarebeforehandthattheyinfluenceinnowaythesenseofresponsibilitywhichcommandsanhonestmantospeakthetruth。
CHAPTERII。
THEMURDERESSASKSQUESTIONS。
THEfirstoftheeventswhichImustnowrelatewastheconvictionofThePrisonerforthemurderofherhusband。
Theyhadlivedtogetherinmatrimonyforlittlemorethantwoyears。Thehusband，agentlemanbybirthandeducation，hadmortallyoffendedhisrelationsinmarryingawomanofaninferiorrankoflife。Hewasfastdecliningintoastateofpoverty，throughhisownrecklessextravagance，atthetimewhenhemetwithhisdeathathiswife’shand。
Withoutattemptingtoexcusehim，hedeserved，tomymind，sometributeofregret。Itisnottobedeniedthathewasprofligateinhishabitsandviolentinhistemper。Butitisequallytruethathewasaffectionateinthedomesticcircle，and，whenmovedbywiselyappliedremonstrance，sincerelypenitentforsinscommittedundertemptationthatoverpoweredhim。Ifhiswifehadkilledhiminafitofjealousrage——underprovocation，beitremembered，whichthewitnessesproved——shemighthavebeenconvictedofmanslaughter，andmighthavereceivedalightsentence。Buttheevidencesoundeniablyrevealeddeliberateandmercilesspremeditation，thattheonlydefenseattemptedbyhercounselwasmadness，andtheonlyalternativelefttoarighteousjurywasaverdictwhichcondemnedthewomantodeath。Thosemischievousmembersofthecommunity，whosetopsy—turvysympathiesfeelforthelivingcriminalandforgetthedeadvictim，attemptedtosaveherbymeansofhigh—flownpetitionsandcontemptiblecorrespondenceinthenewspapers。ButtheJudgeheldfirm；andtheHomeSecretaryheldfirm。Theywereentirelyright；andthepublicwerescandalouslywrong。
OurChaplainendeavoredtooffertheconsolationsofreligiontothecondemnedwretch。Sherefusedtoaccepthisministrationsinlanguagewhichfilledhimwithgriefandhorror。
Ontheeveningbeforetheexecution，thereverendgentlemanlaidonmytablehisownwrittenreportofaconversationwhichhadpassedbetweenthePrisonerandhimself。
"Iseesomehope，sir，"hesaid，"ofincliningtheheartofthiswomantoreligiousbelief，beforeitistoolate。Willyoureadmyreport，andsayifyouagreewithme？"
Ireadit，ofcourse。Itwascalled"AMemorandum，"andwasthuswritten：
"AthislastinterviewwiththePrisoner，theChaplainaskedherifshehadeverenteredaplaceofpublicworship。SherepliedthatshehadoccasionallyattendedtheservicesataCongregationalChurchinthistown；attractedbythereputationoftheMinisterasapreacher。’HeentirelyfailedtomakeaChristianofme，’shesaid；’butIwasstruckbyhiseloquence。
Besides，heinterestedmepersonally——hewasafineman。’
"Inthedreadfulsituationinwhichthewomanwasplaced，suchlanguageasthisshockedtheChaplain；heappealedinvaintothePrisoner’ssenseofpropriety。’Youdon’tunderstandwomen，’sheanswered。’Thegreatestsaintofmysexthateverlivedlikestolookatapreacheraswellastohearhim。Ifheisanagreeableman，hehasallthegreatereffectonher。Thispreacher’svoicetoldmehewaskind—hearted；andIhadonlytolookathisbeautifuleyestoseethathewastrustworthyandtrue。’
"Itwasuselesstorepeataprotestwhichhadalreadyfailed。
Recklesslyandflippantlyasshehaddescribedit，animpressionhadbeenproducedonher。ItoccurredtotheChaplainthathemightatleastmaketheattempttoturnthisresulttoherownreligiousadvantage。HeaskedwhethershewouldreceivetheMinister，ifthereverendgentlemancametotheprison。’Thatwilldepend，’shesaid，’onwhetheryouanswersomequestionswhichIwanttoputtoyoufirst。’TheChaplainconsented；
providedalwaysthathecouldreplywithproprietytowhatsheaskedofhim。Herfirstquestiononlyrelatedtohimself。
"Shesaid：’Thewomenwhowatchmetellmethatyouareawidower，andhaveafamilyofchildren。Isthattrue？’
"TheChaplainansweredthatitwasquitetrue。
"Shealludednexttoareport，currentinthetown，thattheMinisterhadresignedthepastorate。Beingpersonallyacquaintedwithhim，theChaplainwasabletoinformherthathisresignationhadnotyetbeenaccepted。Onhearingthis，sheseemedtogatherconfidence。Hernextinquiriessucceededeachotherrapidly，asfollows：
"’Ismyhandsomepreachermarried？’
"’Yes。’
"’Hashegotanychildren？’
"’Hehasneverhadanychildren。’
"’Howlonghashebeenmarried？’
"’AswellasIknow，aboutsevenoreightyears。
"’Whatsortofwomanishiswife？’
"’Aladyuniversallyrespected。’
"’Idon’tcarewhethersheisrespectedornot。Isshekind？’
"’Certainly！’
"’Isherhusbandwelloff？’
"’Hehasasufficientincome。’
"Afterthatreply，thePrisoner’scuriosityappearedtobesatisfied。Shesaid，’Bringyourfriendthepreachertome，ifyoulike’——andthereitended。
"Whatherobjectcouldhavebeeninputtingthesequestions，itseemstobeimpossibletoguess。Havingaccuratelyreportedallthattookplace，theChaplaindeclares，withheartfeltregret，thathecanexertnoreligiousinfluenceoverthisobduratewoman。HeleavesittotheGovernortodecidewhethertheMinisteroftheCongregationalChurchmaynotsucceed，wheretheChaplainoftheJailhasfailed。HereinistheonelasthopeofsavingthesoulofthePrisoner，nowundersentenceofdeath！"
InthoseseriouswordstheMemorandumended。AlthoughnotpersonallyacquaintedwiththeMinisterIhadheardofhim，onallsides，asanexcellentman。Intheemergencythatconfrontedushehad，asitseemedtome，hisownsacredrighttoentertheprison；assumingthathewaswillingtoaccept，whatImyselffelttobe，averyseriousresponsibility。Thefirstnecessitywastodiscoverwhetherwemighthopetoobtainhisservices。
WithmyfullapprovaltheChaplainleftme，tostatethecircumstancestohisreverendcolleague。
CHAPTERIII。
THECHILDAPPEARS。
DURINGmyfriend’sabsence，myattentionwasclaimedbyasadincident——notunforeseen。
Itis，Isuppose，generallyknownthatnearrelativesareadmittedtotaketheirleaveofcriminalscondemnedtodeath。InthecaseofthePrisonernowwaitingforexecution，nopersonappliedtotheauthoritiesforpermissiontoseeher。Imyselfinquiredifshehadanyrelationsliving，andifshewouldliketoseethem。Sheanswered："NonethatIcaretosee，orthatcaretoseeme——exceptthenearestrelationofall。"
Inthoselastwordsthemiserablecreaturealludedtoheronlychild，alittlegirl（aninfant，Ishouldsay），whohadpassedherfirstyear’sbirthdaybyafewmonths。Thefarewellinterviewwastotakeplaceonthemother’slasteveningonearth；andthechildwasnowbroughtintomyrooms，inchargeofhernurse。
Ihadseldomseenabrighterorprettierlittlegirl。Shewasjustabletowalkalone，andtoenjoythefirstdelightofmovingfromoneplacetoanother。Quiteofherownaccordshecametome，attractedIdaresaybytheglitterofmywatch—chain。Helpinghertoclimbonmyknee，Ishowedthewondersofthewatch，andheldittoherear。Atthatpasttime，deathhadtakenmygoodwifefromme；mytwoboyswereawayatHarrowSchool；mydomesticlifewasthelifeofalonelyman。WhetherIwasremindedofthebygonedayswhenmysonswereinfantsonmyknee，listeningtothetickingofmywatch——orwhetherthefriendlesspositionofthepoorlittlecreature，whohadlostoneparentandwassoontolosetheotherbyaviolentdeath，movedmeindepthsofpitynoteasilyreachedinmylaterexperience——Iamnotabletosay。ThisonlyIknow：myheartachedforthechildwhileshewaslaughingandlistening；andsomethingfellfrommeonthewatchwhichI
don’tdenymighthavebeenatear。Afewofthetoys，mostlybrokennow，whichmytwochildrenusedtoplaywitharestillinmypossession；kept，likemypoorwife’sfavoritejewels，foroldremembrance’sake。TheseItookfromtheirrepositorywhentheattractionofmywatchshowedsignsoffailing。Thechildpouncedonthemwithherchubbyhands，andscreamedwithpleasure。Andthehangmanwaswaitingforhermother——and，morehorridstill，themotherdeservedit！
MydutyrequiredmetoletthePrisonerknowthatherlittledaughterhadarrived。Didthatheartofironmeltatlast？Itmighthavebeenso，oritmightnot；themessagesentbackkepthersecret。Allthatitsaidtomewas："LetthechildwaittillIsendforher。"
TheMinisterhadconsentedtohelpus。Onhisarrivalattheprison，Ireceivedhimprivatelyinmystudy。
Ihadonlytolookathisface——pitiablypaleandagitated——toseethathewasasensitiveman，notalwaysabletocontrolhisnervesonoccasionswhichtriedhismoralcourage。Akind，I
mightalmostsayanobleface，andavoiceunaffectedlypersuasive，atonceprepossessedmeinhisfavor。ThefewwordsofwelcomethatIspokewereintendedtocomposehim。TheyfailedtoproducetheimpressiononwhichIhadcounted。
"Myexperience，"hesaid，"hasincludedmanymelancholyduties，andhastriedmycomposureinterriblescenes；butIhaveneveryetfoundmyselfinthepresenceofanunrepentantcriminal，sentencedtodeath——andthatcriminalawomanandamother。I
own，sir，thatIamshakenbytheprospectbeforeme。"
Isuggestedthatheshouldwaitawhile，inthehopethattimeandquietmighthelphim。Hethankedme，andrefused。
"IfIhaveanyknowledgeofmyself，"hesaid，"terrorsofanticipationlosetheirholdwhenIamfacetofacewithaseriouscallonme。ThelongerIremainhere，thelessworthyI
shallappearofthetrustthathasbeenplacedinme——thetrustwhich，pleaseGod，Imeantodeserve。"
Myownobservationofhumannaturetoldmethatthiswaswiselysaid。Iledthewayatoncetothecell。
CHAPTERIV。
THEMINISTERSAYSYES。
THEPrisonerwasseatedonherbed，quietlytalkingwiththewomanappointedtowatchher。Whensherosetoreceiveus，IsawtheMinisterstart。Thefacethatconfrontedhimwould，inmyopinion，havetakenanymanbysurprise，ifhehadfirsthappenedtoseeitwithinthewallsofaprison。
Visitorstothepicture—galleriesofItaly，growingwearyofHolyFamiliesinendlesssuccession，observethattheideaoftheMadonna，amongtherankandfileofItalianPainters，islimitedtoonechangelessandfamiliartype。IcanhardlyhopetobebelievedwhenIsaythatthepersonalappearanceofthemurderessrecalledthattype。Shepresentedthedelicatelighthair，thequieteyes，thefinely—shapedlowerfeaturesandthecorrectlyovalformofface，repeatedinhundredsonhundredsoftheconventionalworksofArttowhichIhaveventuredtoallude。Tothosewhodoubtme，IcanonlydeclarethatwhatIhaveherewrittenisundisguisedandabsolutetruth。Letmeaddthatdailyobservationofallclassesofcriminals，extendingovermanyyears，hasconsiderablydiminishedmyfaithinphysiognomyasasafeguidetothediscoveryofcharacter。Nervoustrepidationlookslikeguilt。Guilt，firmlysustainedbyinsensibility，lookslikeinnocence。Oneofthevilestwretcheseverplacedundermychargewonthesympathies（whilehewaswaitingforhistrial）ofeverypersonwhosawhim，includingeventhepersonsemployedintheprison。Onlytheotherday，ladiesandgentlemencomingtovisitmepassedabodyofmenatworkontheroad。Judgesofphysiognomyamongthemwerehorrifiedatthecriminalatrocitybetrayedineveryfacethattheynoticed。Theycondoledwithmeonthenearneighborhoodofsomanyconvictstomyofficialplaceofresidence。Ilookedoutofthewindowandsawagroupofhonestlaborers（whoseonlycrimewaspoverty）employedbytheparish！
Havinginstructedthefemalewardertoleavetheroom——buttotakecarethatshewaitedwithincall——IlookedagainattheMinister。
Confrontedbytheseriousresponsibilitythathehadundertaken，hejustifiedwhathehadsaidtome。Stillpale，stilldistressed，hewasnowneverthelessmasterofhimself。IturnedtothedoortoleavehimalonewiththePrisoner。Shecalledmeback。
"Beforethisgentlemantriestoconvertme，"shesaid，"Iwantyoutowaithereandbeawitness。"
Findingthatwewerebothwillingtocomplywiththisrequest，sheaddressedherselfdirectlytotheMinister。"SupposeI
promisetolistentoyourexhortations，"shebegan，"whatdoyoupromisetodoformeinreturn？"
Thevoiceinwhichshespoketohimwassteadyandclear；amarkedcontrasttothetremulousearnestnesswithwhichheansweredher。
"Ipromisetourgeyoutorepentanceandtheconfessionofyourcrime。Ipromisetoimplorethedivineblessingonmeintheefforttosaveyourpoorguiltysoul。"
Shelookedathim，andlistenedtohim，asifhewasspeakingtoherinanunknowntongue，andwentonwithwhatshehadtosayasquietlyasever。
"WhenIamhangedto—morrow，supposeIdiewithoutconfessing，withoutrepenting——areyouoneofthosewhobelieveIshallbedoomedtoeternalpunishmentinanotherlife？"
"IbelieveinthemercyofGod。"
"Answermyquestion，ifyouplease。Isanimpenitentsinnereternallypunished？Doyoubelievethat？"
"MyBibleleavesmenootheralternative。"
Shepausedforawhile，evidentlyconsideringwithspecialattentionwhatshewasabouttosaynext。
"Asareligiousman，"sheresumed，"wouldyoubewillingtomakesomesacrifice，ratherthanletafellow—creaturego——afteradisgracefuldeath——toeverlastingtorment？"
"Iknowofnosacrificeinmypower，"hesaid，fervently，"towhichIwouldnotrathersubmitthanletyoudieinthepresentdreadfulstateofyourmind。"
ThePrisonerturnedtome。"Isthepersonwhowatchesmewaitingoutside？"
"Yes。"
"Willyoubesokindastocallherin？Ihaveamessageforher。"
Itwasplainthatshehadbeenleadingthewaytothedeliveryofthatmessage，whateveritmightbe，inallthatshehadsaiduptothepresenttime。Sofarmypoorpowersofpenetrationhelpedme，andnofurther。
Thewarderappeared，andreceivedhermessage。"TellthewomanwhohascomeherewithmylittlegirlthatIwanttoseethechild。"
Takencompletelybysurprise，Isignedtotheattendanttowaitforfurtherinstructions。
InamomentmoreIhadsufficientlyrecoveredmyselftoseetheimproprietyofpermittinganyobstacletointerposebetweentheMinisterandhiserrandofmercy。IgentlyremindedthePrisonerthatshewouldhavealateropportunityofseeingherchild。
"Yourfirstduty，"Itoldher，"istohearandtotaketoheartwhattheclergymanhastosaytoyou。"
ForthesecondtimeIattemptedtoleavethecell。Forthesecondtimethisimpenetrablewomancalledmeback。
"Taketheparsonawaywithyou，"shesaid。"Irefusetolistentohim。"
ThepatientMinisteryielded，andappealedtometofollowhisexample。Ireluctantlysanctionedthedeliveryofthemessage。
Afterabriefintervalthechildwasbroughttous，tiredandsleepy。Forawhilethenurserousedherbysettingheronherfeet。ShehappenedtonoticetheMinisterfirst。Herbrighteyesrestedonhim，gravelywondering。Hekissedher，and，afteramomentaryhesitation，gavehertohermother。Thehorrorofthesituationoverpoweredhim：heturnedhisfaceawayfromus。I
understoodwhathefelt；healmostoverthrewmyownself—command。
ThePrisonerspoketothenurseinnofriendlytone："Youcango。"
Thenurseturnedtome，ostentatiouslyignoringthewordsthathadbeenaddressedtoher。"AmItogo，sir，ortostay？"I
suggestedthatsheshouldreturntothewaiting—room。Shereturnedatonceinsilence。ThePrisonerlookedafterherasshewentout，withsuchanexpressionofhatredinhereyesthattheMinisternoticedit。
"Whathasthatpersondonetooffendyou？"heasked。
"SheisthelastpersoninthewholeworldwhomIshouldhavechosentotakecareofmychild，ifthepowerofchoosinghadbeenmine。ButIhavebeeninprison，withoutalivingcreaturetorepresentmeortotakemypart。Nomoreofthat；mytroubleswillbeoverinafewhoursmore。Iwantyoutolookatmylittlegirl，whosetroublesarealltocome。Doyoucallherpretty？Doyoufeelinterestedinher？"
Thesorrowandpityinhisfaceansweredforhim。
Quietlysleeping，thepoorbabyrestedonhermother’sbosom。Wastheheartofthemurderesssoftenedbythedivineinfluenceofmaternallove？Thehandsthatheldthechildtrembledalittle。
Forthefirsttimeitseemedtocostheranefforttocomposeherself，beforeshecouldspeaktotheMinisteragain。
"WhenIdieto—morrow，"shesaid，"Ileavemychildhelplessandfriendless——disgracedbyhermother’sshamefuldeath。Theworkhousemaytakeher——oracharitableasylummaytakeher。"Shepaused；afirsttingeofcolorroseonherpaleface；shebrokeintoanoutburstofrage。"Thinkof_my_daughterbeingbroughtupbycharity！Shemaysufferpoverty，shemaybetreatedwithcontempt，shemaybeemployedbybrutalpeopleinmenialwork。I
can’tendureit；itmaddensme。Ifsheisnotsavedfromthatwretchedfate，Ishalldiedespairing，Ishalldiecursing——"
TheMinistersternlystoppedherbeforeshecouldsaythenextword。Tomyastonishmentsheappearedtobehumbled，tobeevenashamed：sheaskedhispardon："Forgiveme；Iwon’tforgetmyselfagain。Theytellmeyouhavenochildrenofyourown。Isthatasorrowtoyouandyourwife？"
Heralteredtonetouchedhim。Heansweredsadlyandkindly："Itistheonesorrowofourlives。"
ThepurposewhichshehadbeenkeepinginviewfromthemomentwhentheMinisterenteredhercellwasnomysterynow。OughtItohaveinterfered？Letmeconfessaweakness，unworthyperhapsofmyoffice。Iwassosorryforthechild——Ihesitated。
Mysilenceencouragedthemother。SheadvancedtotheMinisterwiththesleepinginfantinherarms。
"Idaresayyouhavesometimesthoughtofadoptingachild？"shesaid。"PerhapsyoucanguessnowwhatIhadinmymind，whenI
askedifyouwouldconsenttoasacrifice？Willyoutakethiswretchedinnocentlittlecreaturehomewithyou？"Shelostherself—possessiononcemore。"Amotherlesscreatureto—morrow，"sheburstout。"Thinkofthat。"
GodknowshowIstillshrunkfromit！Buttherewasnoalternativenow；Iwasboundtoremembermydutytotheexcellentman，whosecriticalpositionatthatmomentwas，insomedegreeatleast，duetomyhesitationinassertingmyauthority。CouldI
allowthePrisonertopresumeonhiscompassionatenature，andtohurryhimintoadecisionwhich，inhiscalmermoments，hemightfindreasontoregret？Ispoketo_him。_Doesthemanlivewho——havingtosaywhatIhadtosay——couldhavespokentothedoomedmother？
"Iamsorrytohaveallowedthistogoon，"Isaid。"Injusticetoyourself，sir，don’tanswer！"
Sheturnedonmewithalookoffury。
"Heshallanswer，"shecried。
Isaw，orthoughtIsaw，signsofyieldinginhisface。"Taketime，"Ipersisted——"taketimetoconsiderbeforeyoudecide。"
Shesteppeduptome。
"Taketime？"sherepeated。"Areyouinhumanenoughtotalkoftime，inmypresence？"
Shelaidthesleepingchildonherbed，andfellonherkneesbeforetheMinister："Ipromisetohearyourexhortations——I
promisetodoallawomancantobelieveandrepent。Oh，Iknowmyself！Myheart，oncehardened，isaheartthatnohumancreaturecantouch。Theonewaytomybetternature——ifIhaveabetternature——isthroughthatpoorbabe。Saveherfromtheworkhouse！Don’tletthemmakeapauperofher！"Shesankprostrateathisfeet，andbeatherhandsinfrenzyonthefloor。
"Youwanttosavemyguiltysoul，"sheremindedhimfuriously。
"There’sbutonewayofdoingit。Savemychild！"
Heraisedher。Herfiercetearlesseyesquestionedhisfaceinamuteexpectationdreadfultosee。Suddenly，aforetasteofdeath——thedeaththatwassonearnow！——struckherwithashiveringfit：herheaddroppedontheMinister’sshoulder。Othermenmighthaveshrunkfromthecontactofit。ThattrueChristianletitrest。
Underthemaddeningstingofsuspense，hersinkingenergiesralliedforaninstant。Inawhisper，shewasjustabletoputthesupremequestiontohim。
"Yes？orNo？"
Heanswered："Yes。"
Afaintbreathofrelief，justaudibleinthesilence，toldmethatshehadheardhim。Itwasherlasteffort。Helaidher，insensible，onthebed，bythesideofhersleepingchild。"Lookatthem，"wasallhesaidtome；"howcouldIrefuse？"
CHAPTERV。
MISSCHANCEASSERTSHERSELF。
THEservicesofourmedicalofficerwererequired，inordertohastentherecoveryofthePrisoner’ssenses。
WhentheDoctorandIleftthecelltogether，shewascomposed，andready（intheperformanceofherpromise）tolistentotheexhortationsoftheMinister。Thesleepingchildwasleftundisturbed，bythemother’sdesire。IftheMinisterfelttemptedtoregretwhathehaddone，therewastheartlessinfluencewhichwouldcheckhim！Aswesteppedintothecorridor，Igavethefemalewarderherinstructionstoremainonthewatch，andtoreturntoherpostwhenshesawtheMinistercomeout。
Inthemeantime，mycompanionhadwalkedonalittleway。
Possessedofabilityandexperiencewithinthelimitsofhisprofession，hewasinotherrespectsamanwithacrotchetymind；
boldtothevergeofrecklessnessintheexpressionofhisopinion；andpossessedofacommandoflanguagethatcarriedeverythingbeforeit。Letmeaddthathewasjustandmercifulinhisintercoursewithothers，andIshallhavesummedhimupfairlyenough。WhenIjoinedhimheseemedtobeabsorbedinreflection。
"ThinkingofthePrisoner？"Isaid。
"Thinkingofwhatisgoingon，atthismoment，inthecondemnedcell，"heanswered，"andwonderingifanygoodwillcomeofit。"
Iwasnotwithouthopeofagoodresult，andIsaidso。
TheDoctordisagreedwithme。"Idon’tbelieveinthatwoman’spenitence，"heremarked；"andIlookupontheparsonasapoorweakcreature。Whatistobecomeofthechild？"
Therewasnoreasonforconcealingfromoneofmycolleaguesthebenevolentdecision，onthepartofthegoodMinister，ofwhichI
hadbeenawitness。TheDoctorlistenedtomewiththefirstappearanceofdownrightastonishmentthatIhadeverobservedinhisface。WhenIhaddone，hemadeanextraordinaryreply：
"Governor，IretractwhatIsaidoftheparsonjustnow。Heisoneoftheboldestmenthateversteppedintoapulpit。"
Wasthedoctorinearnest？Stronglyinearnest；therecouldbenodoubtofit。BeforeIcouldaskhimwhathemeant，hewascalledawaytoapatientontheothersideoftheprison。Whenwepartedatthedoorofmyroom，Imadeitarequestthatmymedicalfriendwouldreturntomeandexplainwhathehadjustsaid。
"Consideringthatyouarethegovernorofaprison，"hereplied，"youareasingularlyrashman。IfIcomeback，howdoyouknowI
shallnotboreyou？"