Having a keen social sense his life in New York had been one of continuing charm.

Now the balls and receptions that he had attended at great houses came back to him, even more brilliant and vivid than their original colors had been.

He remembered the many beautiful women he had seen, in their dresses of silk or satin, with their rosy faces and powdered hair, and the great merchants and feudal landowners, and the British and American officers in their bright new uniforms, talking proudly of the honors they expected to win.
Then that splendid dream was gone, vanishing like a mist before a wind, and he was back in the swaying darkness of the bunk, hands and feet bound, and head aching.

All things are relative.

He felt now if only the cruel cords were taken off his wrists and ankles he could be happy.