at awful
Judge before whose dread tribunal I must in a few hours appear, that I
am guiltless of the crime for which at the age of one-and-twenty, in the
first bloom of youth and manhood, I am condemned to die!"

There was a slight convulsion of the features as he uttered the last
words, and his lips quivered for a moment. Nature asserted her right
over her sentient creature; and the thoughts of death awoke at that
moment a strange conflict in his breast. So young--so highly gifted--so
tenderly beloved; it was indeed hard to die--to die a death of infamy,
amidst the curses and execrations of an insulting mob. Oh, how gladly
would he have seen the bitter cup pass from his lips!

Juliet regarded her unhappy lover with a sad and searching glance. But
innocence is strong; he shrunk not from the encounter. His eyes were
raised to hers in confidence and love, and the glow of conscious worth
irradiated his wan and wasted features. Alas! what years of sorrow had
been compressed into one short week!

"I believe you, Anthony, to be an injured man. Thank God!" she
continued, mournfully folding her hands together, "thank God! I have not
loved a murderer!"

"Loved!" repeated the prisoner, whilst the deepest crimson for a moment
flushed his face; "is it possible that Juliet Whitmore ever loved me!
Loved me after witnessing that disgraceful scene in the park. Oh,
Juliet! dear generous Juliet! these blessed words would make me too
happy were it not for these bonds."

"I wronged you, Anthony; cruelly wronged you. My unfortunate
misconception of painful facts may have been the means of rivetting
those irons upon your limbs. I cannot forgive myself for not questioning
Mary Mathews alone upon the subject."

"Appearances were strongly against me, Juliet. I have been the victim of
unfortunate circumstances." He bent his head down upon his fettered
hands, and continued, in a low voice rendered almost inarticulate with
emotion: "But you love me, and this assurance ought to atone for all the
dreary past. Alas! at this moment it comes to rob me of my fortitude; to
add a bitterness to death!"

"Oh, that it were in my power to save your life, beloved Anthony!" said
Juliet, sinking on her knees beside him, and clasping his fettered hands
within her own. "I have loved you long and tenderly. I shall see you no
more on earth. If my life could ransom yours, I would give it without a
sigh; but will is powerless; our hands are tied; we are indeed