The Purcell Papers — Volume 3Le Fanu, Joseph Sheridan
General
The Purcell Papers — Volume 3
Le Fanu, Joseph Sheridan
Fantasy fiction, English; Ireland -- Fiction
Lord Glenfallen rested, if to lie in the mere attitude of repose were
to do so, in his dressing-room, and thus I had an opportunity of
witnessing, far oftener than I wished it, the fearful workings of
his mind. His agony often broke out into such fearful paroxysms
that delirium and total loss of reason appeared to be impending. He
frequently spoke of flying from the country, and bringing with him all
the witnesses of the appalling scene upon which the prosecution was
founded; then, again, he would fiercely lament that the blow which he
had inflicted had not ended all.
The assizes arrived, however, and upon the day appointed Lord Glenfallen
and I attended in order to give our evidence.
The cause was called on, and the prisoner appeared at the bar.
Great curiosity and interest were felt respecting the trial, so that the
court was crowded to excess.
The prisoner, however, without appearing to take the trouble of
listening to the indictment, pleaded guilty, and no representations on
the part of the court availed to induce her to retract her plea.
After much time had been wasted in a fruitless attempt to prevail upon
her to reconsider her words, the court proceeded, according to the usual
form, to pass sentence.
This having been done, the prisoner was about to be removed, when she
said, in a low, distinct voice:
'A word--a word, my lord!--Is Lord Glenfallen here in the court?'
On being told that he was, she raised her voice to a tone of loud
menace, and continued:
'Hardress, Earl of Glenfallen, I accuse you here in this court of
justice of two crimes,--first, that you married a second wife, while
the first was living; and again, that you prompted me to the murder, for
attempting which I am to die. Secure him--chain him--bring him here.'
There was a laugh through the court at these words, which were naturally
treated by the judge as a violent extemporary recrimination, and the
woman was desired to be silent.
'You won't take him, then?' she said; 'you won't try him? You'll let him
go free?'
It was intimated by the court that he would certainly be allowed 'to go
free,' and she was ordered again to be removed.
Before, however, the mandate was executed, she threw her arms wildly
into the air, and uttered one piercing shriek so full of preternatural
rage and despair, that it might fitly have ushered a soul into those
realms where hope can come no more.
The sound still rang in my ears, months after the voice that had uttered
it was for ever silent.
The wretched woman was executed in accordance with the sentence which
had been pronounced.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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