The doctor is pressing to have Michael moved.

He thinks he might do better at the 'colonia agricola,' where the labour is more agricultural; or that even work in the iron mines of Portoferriao would try his constitution less than the swamp where he now is." [Footnote 1: The prison described has no counterpart in real life.] "Was he still in chains ?" "No.

And the doctor said there was some talk of abolishing them altogether.

If not, he will be obliged to go back to them now he is better.

He is looking forward to the sea lavender coming out.