The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 02, No. 12, October, 1858 by Various
page 58 of 286 (20%)
page 58 of 286 (20%)
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She must take no notice of the prisoner, she was given to understand one day, if she was to remain in the garden while he walked there. So she took no notice. He came and went. Manuel, the keeper called him; and she was busy with her weeding, and neither saw nor heard. Ah, she did not!--did _not_ see the figure that came moving like a spectre through the gates!--did not hear the slow dragging step of one who is weary almost to helplessness,--the listless step that has lost the spring of hope, the exultation of life, the expectation of spirit, the strength of manhood!--She did hear, did see the man. We feel the nearness of our friend who is a thousand miles away. Something beside the sunshine is upon us, and receives our answering smile. That sudden shadow is not of the passing cloud. That voice at midnight is not the disturbance of a dream.--He walked about the garden; he retired to his cell. It might have been an hour, or a minute, or a day. It does not take time to dream a life's events. How is the drowning man whirled round the circle of experiences which were so slow in their development! Compassion without limit, courageous purpose impatient of inaction, troubled this young girl. "You behaved like a lady," said Sandy,--"you never looked up. You needn't run now, I'm sure, when he thinks of taking a turn. All we've got to do is to mind our own business, Mr. Laval says. I guess we can. But I did want to let off those chains." "What chains?" asked Elizabeth, as with a shudder she looked up at Sandy. |
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