He seemed perfectly at his ease--much more so than was Mr.
Kent. In vain the good magistrate said to himself that it was no
business of his; that he had nothing whatever to do with the case, he
had simply performed his duty--done what was required of him. Yet he
could not feel satisfied; he was sure there was a mystery, and he longed
to fathom it.
He resolved to go and see the young man, and ask him more questions, to
try to ascertain who he really was. He went to his cell and the prisoner
looked at him in utter surprise.
"I have come purposely," said Mr. Kent, "to see if I cannot induce you
to tell the truth over this affair. I will call you John Smith, if you
like, yet I am sure you are a gentleman; you will not deny that?"
"I neither admit nor deny anything," was the smiling reply; "I have made
up my mind that there will be a certain punishment, and I shall go
through it like a brave man."
"Have you well considered what degradation that punishment will bring
upon you as long as you live?"
His face flushed hotly.
"Since you ask me," he answered, "I tell you frankly, no; I had not
thought of that part of the business at all--it never even occurred to
me; my thoughts were all otherwise engrossed."
"You should take it into consideration," said the magistrate. "I know
nothing of what your position in society may be, but remember, you
voluntarily cut yourself off from all association with even respectable
people; a man who has been in prison cannot expect the countenance or
fellowship of his fellow-men.
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