"It is not half-past one yet." "Yes; I thought I should like to get there by two, so as to have as long a time with him as is possible without shortening your interview." I looked at my companion critically.

She was dressed with rather more than her usual care, and looked, in fact, a very fine lady indeed.

This circumstance, which I noted at first with surprise and then with decided approbation, caused me some inward discomfort, for I had in my mind a very distinct and highly disagreeable picture of the visiting arrangements at a local prison in one of the provinces, at which I had acted temporarily as medical officer.
"I suppose," I said at length, "it is of no use for me to re-open the question of the advisability of this visit on your part ?" "Not the least," she replied resolutely, "though I understand and appreciate your motive in wishing to do so." "Then," said I, "if you are really decided, it will be as well for me to prepare you for the ordeal.

I am afraid it will give you a terrible shock." "Indeed ?" said she.

"Is it so bad?
Tell me what it will be like." "In the first place," I replied, "you must keep in your mind the purpose of a prison like Holloway.