The sergeant's deportment was resolute, and he held his head erect. He was in full Highland costume, and wore his bonnet and scarf. All the spectators were struck by his tall fine figure, and grieved that such a splendid man should be put to death. But Helen excited the greatest sympathy. Though her features were excessively pale, they had lost none of their beauty. The occasional quivering of her lip was the only external sign of emotion, her step being light and firm. Her eyes were constantly fixed upon her lover. Prayers were read by the chaplain as they marched along. The execution party brought up the rear of the melancholy procession. As it moved slowly through a side street towards the field, the number of spectators increased, but the greatest decorum was observed. At length the place of execution was reached. It was the spot where the attempt had been made to capture the prince; and on that dull and dismal morning had a very gloomy appearance, quite in harmony with the tragical event about to take place. On reaching the centre of the field, the detachment of Highlanders formed a semicircle, and a general halt took place--the prisoner and those with him standing in the midst, and the execution party remaining at the back. Some short prayers were then recited by Mr. Coppock, in which both the sergeant and Helen joined very earnestly. These prayers over, the sergeant took leave of Helen, and strained her to his breast. At this moment, her firmness seemed to desert her, and her head fell upon his shoulder. Colonel Johnstone stepped forward, and took her gently away. The provost then ordered a handkerchief to be bound over the sergeant's eyes, but at the prisoner's earnest request this formality was omitted. The fatal moment had now arrived. The detachment of Highlanders drew back, and Erick knelt down. The execution party made ready, and moved up within six or seven yards of the kneeling man. "Fire!" exclaimed Syddall, and the fatal discharge took place--doubly fatal as it turned out. At the very instant when the word was given by Syddall, Helen rushed up to her lover, and kneeling by his side, died with him. Her faithful breast was pierced by the same shower of bullets that stopped the beating of his valiant heart. CHAPTER X. MR. JAMES BAYLEY. In spite of the exertions of the magistrates, only a very small sum could be obtained from the inhabitants of the town, upon which another meeting took place at the Bull's Head, and a deputation was formed to wait upon the prince. Accordingly, a large body of gentlemen proceeded to the prince's head-quarters, and some half-dozen of them, including the two magistrates and Mr. James Bayley, were ushered into the council-chamber, where they found Charles and his secretary. Mr. Fowden, who acted as spokesman, represented to the prince the utter impossibility of raising the money, and besought that the payment might be excused. Charles, however, answered sternly: