He had formed dissolute connexions; idleness had led to crime; and he had been committed to take his trial for some petty theft.

He had been long in prison, and, after receiving some trifling additional punishment, had been ordered to be discharged that morning.

It was his first offence, and his poor old mother, still hoping to reclaim him, had been waiting at the gate to implore him to return home.
We cannot forget the boy; he descended the steps with a dogged look, shaking his head with an air of bravado and obstinate determination.
They walked a few paces, and paused.

The woman put her hand upon his shoulder in an agony of entreaty, and the boy sullenly raised his head as if in refusal.

It was a brilliant morning, and every object looked fresh and happy in the broad, gay sunlight; he gazed round him for a few moments, bewildered with the brightness of the scene, for it was long since he had beheld anything save the gloomy walls of a prison.