There it lay, the ill-omened platform of dark greasy boards newly fastened together, but evidently used often before for the same purpose.  It was buttressed up against their wall, and extended a clear twenty feet out, with a broad wooden stair leading down from the further side.  In the centre stood a headsman’s block, all haggled at the top, and smeared with rust-coloured stains.

“I think it is time that we left,” said Amos Green.

“Our work is all in vain, Amos,” said De Catinat sadly.

“Whatever our fate may be—­and this looks ill enough—­we can but submit to it like brave men.”

“Tut, man; the window is clear!  Let us make a rush for it.”

“It is useless.  I can see a line of armed men along the further side of the yard.”

“A line!  At this hour!”

“Yes; and here come more.  See, at the centre gate!  Now what in the name of heaven is this?”

As he spoke the door which faced them opened and a singular procession filed out.  First came two dozen footmen, walking in pairs, all carrying halberds, and clad in the same maroon-coloured liveries.  After them a huge bearded man, with his tunic off, and the sleeves of his coarse shirt rolled up over his elbows, strode along with a great axe over his left shoulder.  Behind him, a priest with an open missal pattered forth prayers, and in his shadow was a woman, clad in black, her neck bared, and a black shawl cast over her head and drooping in front of her bowed face.  Within grip of her walked a tall, thin, fierce-faced man, with harsh red features, and a great jutting nose.  He wore a flat velvet cap with a single eagle feather fastened into it by a diamond clasp, which gleamed in the morning light.  But bright as was his gem, his dark eyes were brighter still, and sparkled from under his bushy brows with a mad brilliancy which bore with it something of menace and of terror.  His limbs jerked as he walked, his features twisted, and he carried himself like a man who strives hard to hold himself in when his whole soul is aflame with exultation.  Behind him again twelve more maroon-clad retainers brought up the rear of this singular procession.

The woman had faltered at the foot of the scaffold, but the man behind her had thrust her forward with such force that she stumbled over the lower step, and would have fallen had she not clutched at the arm of the priest.  At the top of the ladder her eyes met the dreadful block, and she burst into a scream, and shrunk backwards.  But again the man thrust her on, and two of the followers caught her by either wrist and dragged her forwards.

“Oh, Maurice!  Maurice!” she screamed.  “I am not fit to die!  Oh, forgive me, Maurice, as you hope for forgiveness yourself!  Maurice!  Maurice!” She strove to get towards him, to clutch at his wrist, at his sleeve, but he stood with his hand on his sword, gazing at her with a face which was all wreathed and contorted with merriment.  At the sight of that dreadful mocking face the prayers froze upon her lips.  As well pray for mercy to the dropping stone or to the rushing stream.  She turned away, and threw back the mantle which had shrouded her features.