But the woman gazed on, speechless, as if all the soul that had left her brain had taken up its residence in her large, black eyes.
"Is she tryin' to look me out o' countenance, Doctor?" Inquired Jim, "'cause, if she is, I'll stand here and let 'er try it on; but if she ain't I'll take the next one."
"Oh, she doesn't know what she's about, but it's a very curious form of insanity, and has almost a romantic interest attached to it from the fact that it did not escape the notice of the great bard."
"I notice, myself," said Jim, "that she's grated and barred."
The Doctor looked at his visitor inquisitively, but the woodman's face was as innocent as that of a child. Then they passed on to the next cell, and there they found another Woman sitting quietly in the corner, among the straw.
"How fare ye, this mornin'?" inquired Jim, with a voice full of kindness.
"I'm just on the verge of eternity," replied the woman.
"Don't ye be so sure o' that, now," responded Jim. "Ye're good for ten year yit."
"No," said the woman, "I shall die in a minute."
"Does she mean that?" inquired Jim, turning to the Doctor.