I want to know whether Clarkson's confession has really come too late ?" "Too late for what, my dear sir?
For this poor fellow's justification ?" "Not exactly that, but for his liberation." The doctor shook his head.
"I have my doubts," he said.

"The only thing to be hoped is, that when he hears that he is really at liberty, it may give him a little rousing--just stimulate him sufficiently to allow of his being moved into freer air." "If that is the only hope, it has failed already," Mr.Strafford answered, and told what had taken place.
"Then," said the doctor, "I give him up.

I am afraid his life is just a matter of days, perhaps of hours; but let me go and talk to him a little, and then I will tell you my opinion." He went to the bedside, and began talking in his brisk, cheerful way, to his patient, who was now awake.

It was evident, however, that the effort to understand and remember was weaker even than it had been yesterday, and that this was the effect of increased physical prostration.

There was no longer any fever to supply temporary strength; but life was dying out quietly, but hopelessly.
Mr.Strafford still waited, with some anxiety, for the decisive sentence.