ed a
crucifix before her eyes. She turned her head and looked fixedly past
the crucifix at the three men in black, who were, I felt, her judges.

As I gazed the three men stood up and said something, but I could
distinguish no words, though I was aware that it was the central one
who was speaking. They then swept out of the room, followed by the two
men with the papers. At the same instant several rough-looking fellows
in stout jerkins came bustling in and removed first the red carpet, and
then the boards which formed the dais, so as to entirely clear the
room. When this screen was removed I saw some singular articles of
furniture behind it. One looked like a bed with wooden rollers at each
end, and a winch handle to regulate its length. Another was a wooden
horse. There were several other curious objects, and a number of
swinging cords which played over pulleys. It was not unlike a modern
gymnasium.

When the room had been cleared there appeared a new figure upon the
scene. This was a tall, thin person clad in black, with a gaunt and
austere face. The aspect of the man made me shudder. His clothes were
all shining with grease and mottled with stains. He bore himself with a
slow and impressive dignity, as if he took command of all things from
the instant of his entrance. In spite of his rude appearance and
sordid dress, it was now his business, his room, his to command. He
carried a coil of light ropes over his left forearm. The lady looked
him up and down with a searching glance, but her expression was
unchanged. It was confident--even defiant. But it was very different
with the priest. His face was ghastly white, and I saw the moisture
glisten and run on his high, sloping forehead. He threw up his hands
in prayer and he stooped continually to mutter frantic words in the
lady's ear.

The man in black now advanced, and taking one of the cords from his
left arm, he bound the woman's hands together. She held them meekly
toward him as he did so. Then he took her arm with a rough grip and
led her toward the wooden horse, which was little higher than her
waist. On to this she was lifted and laid, with her back upon it, and
her face to the ceiling, while the priest, quivering with horror, had
rushed out of the room. The woman's lips were moving rapidly, and
though I could hear nothing I knew that she was praying. Her feet hung
down on either side of the horse, and I saw that the rough varlets in
atte