"Ay, that was _my_ room once.

What a pretty chime that serpent-clock had; and how often have I heard it in the early morning as I lay there--alone! If it had not been for that hateful woman, I might have been listening to it now! He seems as mad as ever, by Dick's account, and, I do not doubt, as brutal and as selfish! And yet it was _he_ that suffered, _he_ that was wronged, _he_ that was to be pitied! His wife was the adventuress, forsooth! who deserved all she got.

Oh, these men, these men, that treat us as they please, because they are so sure of sympathy, even from our fellow-slaves and sisters!" She bent again to her occupation, but only for a minute.

"All this is labor in vain, Dick," muttered she, laying down her pen; "the luck is gone both from you and from me.

If I were thirty years younger, indeed, and might have my chance once more, I would tame your father yet.