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？\"