"Is she ill?" the Doctor inquired.

"No, sir."

"Hysterical? or agitated, perhaps?"

"As easy and composed, sir, as a person can be."

We set forth together for the condemned cell.


CHAPTER VII.

THE MURDERESS CONSULTS THE AUTHORITIES.

There was a considerate side to my friend's character, which
showed itself when the warder had left us.

He was especially anxious to be careful of what he said to
a woman in the Prisoner's terrible situation; especially in
the event of her having been really subjected to the influence
of religious belief. On the Minister's own authority, I declared
that there was every reason to adopt this conclusion; and in
support of what I had said I showed him the confession. It only
contained a few lines, acknowledging that she had committed
the murder and that she deserved her sentence. "From the planning
of the crime to the commission of the crime, I was in my right
senses throughout. I knew what I was doing." With that remarkable
disavowal of the defense set up by her advocate, the confession