h a handkerchief to
her mouth to stifle her sobs.

Cornelius listened to the sentence with an expression rather of surprise
than sadness.

After the sentence was read, the Recorder asked him whether he had
anything to answer.

"Indeed, I have not," he replied. "Only I confess that, among all the
causes of death against which a cautious man may guard, I should never
have supposed this to be comprised."

On this answer, the Recorder saluted Van Baerle with all that
consideration which such functionaries generally bestow upon great
criminals of every sort.

But whilst he was about to withdraw, Cornelius asked, "By the bye, Mr.
Recorder, what day is the thing--you know what I mean--to take place?"

"Why, to-day," answered the Recorder, a little surprised by the
self-possession of the condemned man.

A sob was heard behind the door, and Cornelius turned round to look from
whom it came; but Rosa, who had foreseen this movement, had fallen back.

"And," continued Cornelius, "what hour is appointed?"

"Twelve o'clock, sir."

"Indeed," said Cornelius, "I think I heard the clock strike ten about
twenty minutes ago; I have not much time to spare."

"Indeed you have not, if you wish to make your peace with God," said
the Recorder, bowing to the ground. "You may ask for any clergyman you
please."

Saying these words he went out backwards, and the assistant turnkey was
going to follow him, and to lock the door of Cornelius's cell, when a
white and trembling arm interposed between him and the heavy door.

Cornelius saw nothing but the golden brocade cap, tipped with lace, such
as the Frisian girls wore; he heard nothing but some one whispering into
the ear of the turnkey. But the latter put his heavy keys into the
white hand which was stretched out to receive them, and, descending
some steps, sat down on the staircase which was thus guarded above
by himself, and below by the dog. The head-dress turned round, and
Cornelius beheld the face of Rosa, blanched with grief, and her
beautiful eyes streaming with tears.

She went up to Cornelius, crossing her arms on her heaving breast.

"Oh, sir, sir!" she said, but sobs choked her utterance.

"My good girl," Cornelius replied with emotion, "what do you wish? I may
tell you that my time on earth is short."

"I come to ask a favour of you," said Rosa, extending her arms partly
towards him and partly towards heaven.

"Don't weep so, Rosa," said the prisoner, "for your tea