they are human creatures born with the temperaments of tigers.
Take my word for it, we need feel no anxiety about to-morrow.
The Prisoner will face the crowd round the scaffold with
composure; and the people will say, 'She died game.' "


CHAPTER VIII.

THE MINISTER SAYS GOOD-BY.

The Capital Punishment of the Prisoner is in no respect connected
with my purpose in writing the present narrative. Neither do
I desire to darken these pages by describing in detail an act
of righteous retribution which must present, by the nature of it,
a scene of horror. For these reasons I ask to be excused, if
I limit what I must needs say of the execution within the compass
of a few words--and pass on.

The one self-possessed person among us was the miserable woman
who suffered the penalty of death.

Not very discreetly, as I think, the Chaplain asked her if she
had truly repented. She answered: "I have confessed the crime,
sir. What more do you want?" To my mind--still hesitating between
the view that believes with the Minister, and the view that
doubts with the Doctor--this reply leaves a way open to hope of
her salvation. Her last words to me, as she mounted the steps of
the scaffold, were: "Remember your promise." It was easy for me
to be true to my word. At that bygone time, no difficulties were
placed in my way by such precautions as are now observed in