The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 140: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. 131 heaven subsides, became gradually calm. Prayer had poured the balm of resignation on his wounded heart. It is extraordinary how acute the sense of hearing becomes from solitude, and how soon we learn to dis- tinguish between sounds. Although Gridley had scarcely been a month an inmate of the asylum, his ear caught the faintest echo of an approaching step; and he knew so well the tread of his keepers, that he could tell which one had entered the long corridor, at the extremity of which his cell was placed, the instant he heard it. As Gridley rose from his prayer, he fancied he heard the sound of an approaching step, so soft and light, that only an ear sharpened by suffering or terror could have noticed it, In a few seconds it became more distinct. As he listened to the sound his heart began to throb. There was something unusual in the circumstance, and consequently, hope. Still it advanced— pat-pat—paused —was again renewed, and ceased only at the door of his cell. *°Tis Lizzy,” he exclaimed, his eyes again filling with tears; ‘“‘ God bless the child—the heart of infancy is ever true to nature’s impulse !” « Mr. Gridley—Mr. Gridley,” whispered an infan- tine voice; “don’t speak loud, for fear they should hear us ; I am forbidden to come and see you—but I couldn’t help it—just to ask how you find yourself. I hope you are better.”’ K 2 COniiclooecl SS (SO