Pagina 602 de 896

"Come!" said the chief, at length taking up his keys, "come with

me, emigrant."

Through the dismal prison twilight, his new charge accompanied

him by corridor and staircase, many doors clanging and locking

behind them, until they came into a large, low, vaulted chamber,

crowded with prisoners of both sexes. The women were seated at a

long table, reading and writing, knitting, sewing, and

embroidering; the men were for the most part standing behind

their chairs, or lingering up and down the room.

In the instinctive association of prisoners with shameful crime

and disgrace, the new-comer recoiled from this company. But the

crowning unreality of his long unreal ride, was, their all at

once rising to receive him, with every refinement of manner known

to the time, and with all the engaging graces and courtesies of

life.