“Was the man very severely injured?” she asked, after a moment of silence.
“Yes, in the thigh; he will probably be a cripple for life, Earle says.”
“How sad! What will be done with him when he recovers?”
“Earle did not write what his intentions were, but he will probably be transported for life, where, with a ball and chain attached to him, you will never need fear him any more.”
“Poor fellow! The English laws are more severe than our own, then,” she said, with a sigh.
“If the laws of the United States were more stringent, and the penalties for extreme cases more severe, your prisons would not be so full, and, in my opinion, there would be less mischief done,” Mr. Tressalia replied, thoughtfully.
At this moment some one spoke his name, and, turning, they saw Madam Sylvester and her brother approaching.
Pleasant greetings were exchanged, and then they all sought seats at a little distance near a fountain for a few moments’ conversation before returning to their hotel.
CHAPTER XXXIX
CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER CASES
When Mr. Dalton turned so abruptly and left Mr. Tressalia and Editha he was indeed terribly excited.