The library door was hastily flung open, and Norman Lovel came in, pale as death, though he had been buffeting the winds, and with terrible excitement in his eyes. He was shivering, and cold sleet and ridges of fine snow hung on his garments and powdered his hair. Sir William started to his feet, cast one glance on that white young face, and sat down suddenly, stifling a groan. The young man flung himself into a chair, threw his arms out on the table, and buried his face upon them. "Speak to me," said Sir William, hoarsely. "Is the trial ended?" The young man lifted his head; every feature of his face was quivering. His eyes, heavy with anguish, turned upon the governor. "Day after to-morrow they will murder her." "Day after to-morrow! Great Heavens! so soon?" "You will not permit it. Thank God her life rests with you!" cried Norman, passionately. "You have the power. Use it, and save the highest and best creature that the sun ever shone upon." The governor slowly regained his manhood under this appeal. Remembering that he was chief magistrate of the province, he put aside the sensitive tenderness that had almost swayed him for a time, and asked himself whence that strange feeling had come? Could this woman's influence reach him even from her dungeon? Had the evil spirit within her seized upon Norman Lovel, the being held closest to his heart, that she might thus possess him, and force mercy from his hands? "Norman," he said, gravely, "by what power are you so wrought upon? What is this woman to you?" "What is she to me? My soul! my life I--every thing that an angel of light can be to a human being. If she dies, Sir William, I will perish with her." This wild outburst hardened the governor, who absolutely believed the young man possessed. "Leave me, boy!" he said, not unkindly; "in this matter I must take council with my God alone. Would that this hard duty had been spared me! I am admonished by the weakness here, that the scales of justice tremble in my hands. This must not be. Men who govern must be firm, or mercy is but cowardice." "Oh, if you could but see her as I have! feel for her as I feel!" cried the young man. "Were I Norman Lovel, and you governor of this province, it might be so," answered Sir William. "But plead with me no more; this heart is heavy enough without that. If it must withhold the mercy you ask, the pain here will far outweigh any thing that you can feel." Sir William pressed a hand hard upon his heart as he spoke, and there was an expression of such pain in his voice and on his features that Norman forbore to press him further, but arose, and stood up ready to go. "Yes, leave me," said Sir William, reaching forth his hand with a sad smile. "I have need to be alone." Norman kissed the hand which Sir William held out to him, and his eyes filled with tears. "Oh, think mercifully of her, if you would not break my heart!" he said. Sir William drew back his hand, turning his face away.