“My lord, I will not fail,” said the headsman. Laying himself upon the block, the earl then ejaculated: “Lord Jesu! receive my spirit! Lord Jesu! be merciful to me! Lord Jesu!----” At this juncture the axe descended. Next moment the head was held up to the concourse, while the executioner called out in trumpet tones: “Behold the head of a traitor! God save King George!” An irrepressible groan broke from the concourse. The body was instantly placed in the coffin, and conveyed to a hearse, which was waiting for it at a short distance. But the head was disposed of differently. Wrapped in black baize by the direction of Sir John Fryer, it was taken to a hackney-coach, stationed near the hearse, and delivered to a lady, habited in deep mourning, and shrouded in a veil. With her was a priest. No sooner did she receive the terrible bundle than she raised her veil, and pressed her lips to it. The hearse and the coach then quitted Tower Hill, and were driven slowly to Dagenham Park. But the headsman had only half-finished his task. When fresh sawdust had been strewn on the gory scaffold, another head--that of Lord Kenmure--was fitted to the block, and the axe again fell. IV.--WHAT HAPPENED IN THE CHAPEL AT DAGENHAM PARK. |Not till the second night after the earl's body had been brought to Dagenham Park did the countess commence her journey to Dilston. During the interval the coffin was placed upon a catafalque in the chapel attached to the mansion, and tapers were lighted around it--masses being said for the repose of the soul of the departed by Father Norham. The head had now been replaced by the body, but the countess would not allow the coffin to be closed, and at night she was left alone in the chapel. After praying for some time she arose and gazing at her dead lord, invoked him either to appear to her, or give her some sign that he was conscious of her presence. But the pale features retained their fixed expression. After awhile, she sat down, and despite all her efforts to resist it, sleep stole over he. Then she dreamed that the earl stood beside her, looking as he had done in life. After contemplating her for a few minutes with a look that seemed to fascinate her, he said in low solemn accents: “Weep no more for me, Anna! weep no more! my suffering is over. But let my last wishes be fulfilled. Till my body is laid where I have desired, my spirit will wander near its earthly tabernacle. Then it will rest.” “Give me some token that I have really beheld you, my lord,” she said. “Look at my right hand, and you will be satisfied,” was the reply. Thereupon the phantom vanished. Not for some hours could she rouse herself from the heavy slumber into which she had fallen. She then recalled the vision, but thought it must have been a dream. To convince herself of the truth she went to the coffin, and raised the right hand of the corpse.