"Give them to me," she said quietly, and the man obeyed. Then, throwing off her cap, she unbound the ribbon with which her hair was confined and with a quick, graceful movement of the head, shook down its burden of auburn hair so that it covered her shoulders. With a few swift strokes of the scissors she cut off the waving masses, which fell in a heap in her lap and at her feet, and handed the shears back to Sanson. With her bared head, its aureole of close-cropped hair crowning the small oval face beneath it, Charlotte looked like some beautiful boy, and it was evident that even the impassive executioner was moved by her charm and by the tender grace of her every movement. One of the many curls which she had severed so ruthlessly had fallen into the bosom of her dress, and Charlotte now held it in her hand and turned toward Hauer, who had been watching the sacrifice with much emotion. "Will you accept this?" she asked timidly, "I--it is all I have to give. If you would care to have it----" The young man took it tenderly from her and raised it to his lips. "I shall hold it dearer than all else in the world," he said; "this lock of your beautiful hair." "Is it beautiful? I used to be very vain of my hair once." She smiled. "If you will keep it," she continued, "and perhaps look at it sometimes, and, when you do, recall the memory of one to whom you were kind--of one who will never forget--who will offer prayers for your welfare and your happiness at the very throne of God----" She brushed away a tear that had crept out unseen upon her cheek, and for the moment her voice failed her. Sanson moved forward silently and seized her wrist with one hand, while with the other he shook out the short coil of cord which he held. The blood flamed in Charlotte's cheek, and she shrank back suddenly, dreading some fresh indignity. "Ah, no!" she exclaimed passionately. "I beg of you! Not that again! I promise you, I will be good!" she reiterated, standing with her hands behind her, like some frightened child expecting punishment, "I will keep still! I will do whatever you tell me. I will not move. Oh, let me be free, for this last hour of my life!" Hauer approached the executioner. "Surely she has suffered enough already," he said. "Look at her wrists." For the severity of her former bondage had left cruel marks upon the white skin of her delicate arms. Sanson spoke for the first time. His voice was low and had a tone of refinement which perhaps reassured his listeners. "You need not be afraid," he said. "I am not rough. I will not hurt you. It is for the best." Charlotte looked up into his face and, reading there nothing but the desire of a blunt but honest man to discharge an unpleasant duty with as little pain as possible to all concerned, submitted without further entreaty.