The dismal room, the
voiceless spectators, tho black spectre with the glittering axe,
the fearful music, struck a chill to his inmost heart.
Could it be possible they were really going to murder the unhappy
wretch? and could all those beautiful ladies--could that
surpassingly beautiful queen, stand there serenely unmoved, to
witness such a crime? While he yet looked round in horror, the
doomed man, already apparently almost dead with fear, was dragged
forward by his guards. Paralyzed as he was, at sight of the
stage which he knew to be the scaffold, he uttered shriek after
shriek of frenzied despair, and struggled like a madman to get
free. But as well might Laocoon have struggled in the folds of
the serpent; they pulled him on, bound him hand and foot, and
held his head forcibly down on the block.
The black spectre moved - the dwarf made a signal - the
glittering axe was raised - fell - a scream was cut in two - a
bright jet of blood spouted up in the soldiers faces, blinding
them; the axe fell again, and the Earl of Gloucester was minus
that useful and ornamental appendage, a head.
It was all over so quickly, that Sir Norman could scarcely
believe his horrified senses, until the deed was done.
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