And then the discomforts of the prison began to appear very questionable.  She remembered that Joan Laval was, as Adolphus hinted, weakly, nervous, ’frightened at her own shadow,’—­a woman who had never, for any single day of her life, lived with a lofty purpose,—­a cumberer of the ground, who could only cast a shadow.

She perceived that they would be close to the flower-garden; a minute’s walk would lead them to the pleasant woods,—­and Pauline Montier always loved the woods.

Indeed, when she began to take this ground, the first steps of occupation alone could be timid or doubtful.  After that, her humanity, her sympathy, her confidence in her husband and daughter, drew the woman on, till she forgot how difficult the first steps had been.

She surprised both husband and daughter by saying to Adolphus, the moment she came to her conclusion, that he had better make inquiry of Laval whether he had signified his intention to resign, and forthwith seek the appointment from the Governor of the island.

When Pauline said this, she attested her sincerity by making ready to accompany Adolphus at once to the prison, that they might run no risk of losing the situation by delay.  Seeing that they were of one mind, and entirely confiding in each other, they all went together to the prison to consult with Laval.  Thus it came to pass, that, before the week ended, the charge of the prison had been transferred to Adolphus Montier.

The family made great efforts in order to impart an air of cheerfulness and home-comfort to their new dwelling-place.  Adolphus whitewashed, according to promise; Pauline scrubbed, according to nature; they arranged and rearranged their little stock of furniture,—­set the loud-ticking day-clock on the mantel-shelf, and displayed around it the china cups, the flower-vase, and the little picture of their native town which Adolphus cut from a sheet of letter-paper some old friend had sent him, and framed with more tender feeling than skill.  They did their best, each one, and said to one another, that, when they got used to the place, to the large rooms and high ceilings and narrow windows, it would of course seem like home, to them, because—­it was their HOME.  Were they not all together? were not these their own household goods, around them?  Still, they needed all this mutual encouragement and heartiness of cooeperation which was so nobly, so generously manifested; and it was sincere enough to insure the very result of contentment and satisfaction which they were so wise as to anticipate.  But the Governor thought,—­The Drummer is getting ambitious; he wants a big house, and authority!

Ex-jailer Laval was exceedingly active in assisting his own outgoing and the incoming of Montier.  He helped Adolphus in the heavy labors of removal, and laughed more during the conduct of these operations than he had been known to do in years.  He said nothing to Prisoner Manuel of the intended change in jail-administration until the afternoon when for the last time he walked out with him.