“What place is this? Where am I?” those eyes seemed to inquire, as she gently raised herself on her elbow to examine the cell.
The watchers were silent from awe and pity; but the narrow stone walls, the iron door, the grated window, sternly though mutely answered the questioning gaze.
And as the truth slowly grew upon her memory, her face changed from its look of girlish curiosity to one of terror and anguish, and with a piercing cry, she fell back upon the pillow, and covered her eyes with her hands.
The kind women that filled to her the double office of warders and attendants, took her hands from her face, and began to address her with words of sympathy; but what words of theirs had power to reach her heart, snatched far away from ordinary human comprehension as she was by her great woe!
She never answered, or even seemed to hear them. After the first sharp cry that marked her returning consciousness, she lay in silent anguish.
And so the hours of the morning crept slowly on until the rising sunbeams glanced into the cell. Then the two weary watchers were relieved by Mrs. Barton, who came in and sent them to take some rest, while she herself remained to put the cell in order, and assist the nearly dying girl to get on her clothes.
“Come, my poor dear, it is better for you to try to rouse yourself a little. Rise up and bathe your face in this nice cool water, and then dress yourself, for some of your friends will be getting an order from the sheriff to come and see you, they will, and you should be ready to receive them,” said Mrs. Barton, as she poured the water into the basin, and took the hand of Eudora to assist her to rise.
In mute despair the poor girl suffered herself to be guided. Silently she followed all Mrs. Barton’s directions.
“Come, come, don’t give up so; while there’s life there’s hope; and I myself have known more nor one person pardoned or commuted after they’ve been condemned to death,” continued the good woman, trying to comfort the prisoner while assisting at her toilet.
But the shuddering young creature seemed incapable of reply.