The Spanish Headsman. 47 



shrieked forth the mother, in accents of triumph and despair. " He con- 

 sents," she cried, as she marked a slight movement of his brow, which 

 she only could understand as implying the hard and cruel obedience of 

 her child. 



The almoner of the chateau entering, he was instantly surrounded by 

 the family, who led him towards Juanito, while Victor, no longer able to 

 endure the scene, made sign to Clara of his intention, and rushed from 

 the room to make one last effort with the General. Him he found in one 

 of his milder moods, cheerfully conversing with his officers, while he par- 

 took of the delicious wines the cellars of the chateau afforded. 



An hour afterwards, and one hundred of the principal inhabitants of 

 Menda were assembled, by the General's orders, on the terrace, to witness 

 the execution of the family of Leganes. They were arranged beneath 

 the line of gallows, on which hung the bodies of the Marquis's domestics j 

 and a strong military guard preserved order. At about thirty paces dis- 

 tant, a block had been prepared, on which a large and naked scimetar 

 was laid; while the executioner stood near to act, in the event of Juanito's 

 refusal. 



The dead silence which prevailed was interrupted by the sound of 

 many footsteps; the slow and measured tread of soldiery, and the clatter- 

 ing of arms, drowned, at times, by the loud laugh of the officers over their 

 wine. So had the dance and music, but shortly since, been mingled with 

 the expiring groans of the French garrison. All eyes were now directed 

 towards the. chateau, and the several members of the Leganes' family 

 approached, with firm unshrinking step, and countenances patient, calm, 

 and serene save one. He, pale, wan and heartstricken, leant upon the 

 priest, who unceasingly urged every argument of religion, to sustain and 

 console the wretched being who was alone condemned to live. The 

 Marquis, his wife, and their four children, took their places at some paces 

 distant from the block, and knelt. Juanito was led forward by the priest, 

 and having reached the fatal spot, the public executioner advanced and 

 whispered him, haply imparting some necessary instructions in his 

 dreadful mystery. The confessor would have arranged the victims so 

 as to avoid, as far as possible, a view of the work of death j but they 

 were Spaniards, and evinced no symptoms of fear. 



Clara now darted forwards to her brother. " Juanito ! " she exclaimed, 

 " you must have pity on my weakness. I am a sad, sad, coward. Begin 

 with me." 



A hasty step was heard approaching it was Victor. Clara was 

 kneeling by the block, and her white neck already bared to the scimetar. 

 The officer shuddered, but rushed forward, " Your life is spared, Clara. 

 The General pardons you, if you consent to to be mine." 



The Spanish lady looked on him for an instant ; a proud, disdainful 

 glance of withering scorn, " Quick, quick, Juanito," she murmured in a 

 hurried hollow voice, as she turned, and her head rolled at Victor's feet. 



As the first dull blow of the heavy scimetar was heard, for one moment 

 the mother's whole frame moved convulsively. It was the first and only 

 sign of weakness exhibited. 



" Am I well so my good good Juanito ? " said the little Raffaele. 



