difference between a fool and a madman is, that the fool draws wrong
conclusions from correct principles, and the madman correct conclusions
from erroneous principles. I leave my readers to judge under which
denomination the author quoted comes. There is but one step in his
climax that approaches the truth, and he has drawn a series of wrong
conclusions from that. The concurrent testimony of a host of writers,
both moralists and historians, goes to establish the fact, that, under
the pressure of remediable misfortunes, women have infinitely greater
acuteness and quickness of perception of means of relief--more
promptness, energy, and courage in carrying them into execution, than
men. "Hope the deceiver" retains possession of the heart of woman long,
long after man has hanged, shot, or drowned himself in despair.

Isabella was certainly almost overcome by the melancholy intelligence,
when first communicated; but weeping and the repose of the morning had
tranquillized her, and the facts that she had ascertained had given her
fresh courage and hopes. Not daring, however, to urge her uncle too far
at that time, as she saw he was out of humor, she was still determined
not by any means to regard one, nor two, nor twenty refusals as
decisive; but, if he could not be "carried by boarding," to blockade him
into compliance. Her uncle's order for her admittance to the prison, she
determined only to use occasionally, and as circumstances pointed out,
for fear of exciting suspicion; but to reserve it as a sort of sheet
anchor for the perfection of a half-formed scheme that was already
agitating her brain.

Under pretence of merely ascertaining that the prisoners were supplied
with all the comfort that their situation would admit, but in reality to
communicate with her lover, she visited the prison that very day. She
found the prisoner, who was already heart-sick of the confinement,
independently of its probable termination, walking listlessly up and
down the passage leading to the inner prison, which was both spacious
and airy; for, as before observed, his excellency had so far relented as
to direct that the prisoners, during the day, should be permitted to
enjoy the air. His surprise at seeing her was extreme--not that he
doubted she would make an attempt to see him, but he considered it a
hopeless one. She met him with tranquillity, almost cheerfulness.

"Thank heaven!" he exclaimed mentally, "there is some hope of once more
sn