moribund horror.

"She has arrived?"

"No."

"Why is she so late?" was the universal question; for the spectators
were impatient, and imbued with expectation and curiosity, as if they
were in a theatre waiting for the curtain to rise.

"Perhaps they have pardoned her?" said one.

"Well, for my part, I should be glad." And the people seemed to find
as much pleasure in imagining a pardon as in watching the execution:
either way it gave them material for applause, emotion, criticism, and
discussion.

Soon all observations were interrupted, for upon the _parlera_, which
was covered with black cloth and velvet cushions, they saw appear the
magistrates, the podesta, his lieutenant, and finally the captain
Lucio. As I have told you, justice was then barbarous but honest, and
these men came to admire their work.

Through all the narrow streets, which terminated at this point, ran a
whisper; and the murmurs grew more excited towards the large gate
which gave entrance to the Pescheria Vecchia. Here was seen the
winding funeral procession, which made a long circuit to let the
multitude profit by the lesson.

"Here she is! Here she is!" they cried, and exactly like a regiment of
infantry in obedience to the commands of a sergeant, the entire crowd
stood on tiptoe, stretched their necks, and turned heads and eyes to
the scene.

Then appeared a yellow standard bordered with gold lace, upon which
was painted a skeleton, erect. In one hand it held a scythe and in the
other an hour-glass. At the right of the skeleton there was painted a
man with a cord around his neck, and to the left a man carrying his
head in his hands. Behind this gonfalon advanced two by two the
Brothers of the Consolation. This was a pious fraternity founded in
the chapel of Santa Maria dei Disciplini; this chapel was afterwards
changed into a church, which yielded to none other in Milan for its
beauty of architecture. To-day it is a common school. This fraternity,
which was transferred to San Giovanni _alle Case rotte_, had for its
one aim to succor the condemned and to prepare them for death. The
brothers advanced. They were attired in white habits, fitting tightly
around their figures, and their cowls were sewn around their heads.
Instead of a face, one saw a cross embroidered in red, and at the arms
of this cross tiny holes were made for the eyes to peer forth. On
their breasts they wore a black medal representing the death of
Christ, and at the f