is present position. He was a captive in a
prison from which he could not hope to escape; at the mercy of a
powerful and cunning enemy, who knew his secret, and would use every
effort to get his money. If he refrained for the present from
exerting violence, it was only too probable that this forbearance was
but temporary, and that at the last the prisoner must yield.

These were gloomy thoughts, and the good Russell was well-nigh
overwhelmed.

But the greatest calamities are often alleviated by comparative
trifles; and so it was a trifle which, on this occasion, served to
soothe the sorrows of our suffering friend--such a trifle, in fact,
as a mere costume. Whether it was that, being a tailor, he was more
affected than others by his raiment; or whether it was that a man's
dress has, as is claimed, a potent influence which always affects the
wearer, need not be discussed; certain it is that just now it was his
novel attire which chiefly engaged the thoughts of Russell, and made
him less sensible of his misfortunes.

As a dress it was certainly magnificent. The cloth was of the finest
quality. Gold was lavished freely upon it--gleaming in the numerous
buttons; shining in the profuse lace which glittered over the breast
and round the cuffs and round the collar in a flood of glory;
sparkling in the hatband; flowing down the skirts like the oil from
Aaron's beard. Many a time had his own fancy designed and his own
hands fashioned such an array as this for others; but now, as it
infolded his own ample person, it shone with new lustre, and threw
something of its own lustre around the wearer.

And now, as the actor, when arrayed in the robes of majesty, assumes
a kingly port and struts about the stage, so our Russell. He took to
himself the part which the uniform suggested. He felt like the
general of an army. He threw out his chest, stood erect, strutted,
admired his figure and his gait, waved in his hand an imaginary
sword, and guided invisible armies to the field of battle.

In the midst of all this he was suddenly roused by a slight noise
behind him.

Turning hastily, he saw a woman, who had entered bearing some
articles of food for his morning's repast. In a moment Russell
descended from the lofty heights of imagination to the dull realities
of a cold world, and, in plain language, began to feel rather
sheepish at being discovered in such a frame of mind. Nay, this very
frame of mind, this new sense of personal dig