“I then sent for Mrs. Mills, with whom I lodged, and acquainted
her with my design of attempting my lord’s escape, as there was no
prospect of his being pardoned, and that this was the last night
before the execution. I told her that I had everything in readiness,
and that I trusted she would not refuse to accompany me, that my
lord might pass for her. At the same time I sent to Mrs. Morgan, to
whose acquaintance my dear Evans had introduced me, and I immediately
communicated my resolutions to her. She was of a very tall slender
make, so I begged her to put under her own riding-hood one that I had
prepared for Mrs. Mills, as she was to lend hers to my lord, that
in coming out he might be taken for her. When we were in the coach,
I never ceased talking, that they might have no leisure to reflect.
On our arrival at the Tower, the first that I introduced was Mrs.
Morgan (for I was only allowed to take in one at a time). She brought
in the clothes that were to cover Mrs. Mills when she left her own
behind her. When Mrs. Morgan had taken off what she had brought for
the purpose, I conducted her back to the staircase, and, in going, I
begged her to send me my maid to dress me; that I was afraid of being
too late to present my last petition that night if she did not come
immediately. I despatched her safe, and went downstairs to meet Mrs.
Mills, who had the precaution to hold her handkerchief to her face,
as is natural for a woman to do when she is going to take her last
farewell of a friend on the eve of his execution. Her eyebrows were
inclined to be sandy, my lord’s were very dark and thick; however, I
had prepared some paint of the colour of hers to disguise his with;
I also brought an artificial head-dress (wig) of the same coloured
hair as hers; and I painted his face with white, and his cheeks with
rouge, to hide his beard, which he had not time to shave. The guards,
whom my slight liberality the day before had endeared me to, let me
go quietly out with my companion, and were not so strictly on the
watch as they had been. I made Mrs. Mills take off her own hood, and
put on that which I had brought for her; I then took her by the hand,
and led her out of my lord’s chamber, and in passing through the next
room, in which were several people, I said, ‘My dear Mrs. Catherine,
go in all haste, and send me my waiting-maid. I am to present my
petition to-night, and if I let slip this opportunity I am undone,
for to-morrow will be too late.’ Everybody in the room, chiefly the
guards’ wives and daughters, seemed to compassionate me exceedingly,
and the sentinel officiously opened me the door. When I had seen her
safe out, I returned to my lord, and finished dressing him. When I had
almost finished dressing my lord in all my petticoats except one, I
perceived it was growing dark, and was afraid that the light of the
candles might betray us, so I resolved to set off. I went out leading
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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