with still greater compassion for their misery. He understood, as he had never done before, the harshness and severity of the warders and officials, and yet he could see that it was often unavoidable. He came by degrees to the conclusion which has forced itself upon other minds as well, that the whole system needed a radical reform.
He was not unmindful of Cassia's needs. Whenever opportunity offered he would walk by her side and comfort her, and so great was his kindness and consideration that at last even her icy heart began to thaw towards him, and she began to look upon him with sentiments of gratitude. But she was always circumspect, and would not betray her friend into a false position. Whenever he began to speak to her on the subject of marriage, she always stopped him abruptly, and before the gang had arrived at its destination she had already secretly given her promise to a young political offender who was in their company. Nehrodoff was deeply disappointed at her coldness in rejecting his ad-
