execution of this decree."

Laura was overwhelmed and terror-stricken. She had expected to walk

forth in freedom in a few moments. The revulsion was terrible. Her

mother appeared like one shaken with an ague fit. Laura insane! And

about to be locked up with madmen! She had never contemplated this.

Mr. Graham said he should move at once for a writ of 'habeas corpus'.

But the judge could not do less than his duty, the law must have its way.

As in the stupor of a sudden calamity, and not fully comprehending it,

Mrs. Hawkins saw Laura led away by the officer.

With little space for thought she was, rapidly driven to the railway

station, and conveyed to the Hospital for Lunatic Criminals. It was only

when she was within this vast and grim abode of madness that she realized

the horror of her situation. It was only when she was received by the

kind physician and read pity in his eyes, and saw his look of hopeless

incredulity when she attempted to tell him that she was not insane; it

was only when she passed through the ward to which she was consigned

and

saw the horrible creatures, the victims of a double calamity, whose

dreadful faces she was hereafter to see daily, and was locked into the

small, bare room that was to be her home, that all her fortitude forsook

her. She sank upon the bed, as soon as she was left alone--she had been

searched by the matron--and tried to think. But her brain was in a

whirl. She recalled Braham's speech, she recalled the testimony

620

The Gilded Age