he entered the Court; for she heard that once there, inflamed
and excited by his drams of spirits, and by his remarks to prisoners,
witnesses, counsel, and jury, she was less likely to induce him to
listen to her petition, or to understand its object. She had therefore
to remain all night in an agony of doubt and fear in a room next to Mr
Willoughby's. She awoke at early dawn from hearing a noise in the
street, and, looking out of her window, the first figure she recognised
was that of Andrew Battiscombe; there were two other gentlemen whom she
knew by having seen them in court, and who she heard were condemned to
death. Her eye ranged over the others, in dread lest Stephen might be
seen; but he was not there. She felt relieved, and yet she knew how he
must be grieving for the loss of his brother. She hurriedly dressed, in
the hopes of being able to say a few words of comfort to poor Andrew, to
hear from him of his parting with his brother, also to tell him of her
intention of having an interview with the Judge. Scarcely, however, had
she reached the street than the mournful procession, guarded by a strong
band of soldiers, was ordered to march on. She would have rushed
forward to speak to Andrew, as others were doing to their friends and
relatives, but the soldiers closed round them, and kept every one off.
She returned to her room to finish her toilet, so that she might be
prepared to set out with Mr Willoughby as soon as it was likely that
the Judge would have risen. Mr Willoughby was soon ready, and as it
was understood the Judge breakfasted early, she was eager to start. She
had nerved herself up for the encounter, fully prepared for whatever
might be said to her. She had heard of the language Jeffreys was
accustomed to use towards people of all classes, and she did not suppose
her sex and youth would enable her to escape. She was glad, however, to
lean on Mr Willoughby's arm as they approached the house where the
Chief Justice had taken up his quarters. Alice had a letter ready,
requesting to see him on an important matter. In a short time the
servant, to whom she had given the letter, appeared and said that the
Chief Justice would see her. Mr Willoughby thought it prudent to
remain in the court below. He knew that, should he go in with her,
unpleasant questions would be asked, and he would probably be branded as
a Puritan, and perhaps sent off to prison to undergo his trial. Alice,
without trembling