Strafford, a romance - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1879 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IX. AT THE FOOT OF THE SCAFFOLD. All through. the night and all through the fatal day that followed, Ethel, under the influence of the narcotic, lay in a death-like sleep unconscious of her widowhood. Mr. Greenwood, much alarmed at this comatose condition, called in the physician. "There is no danger," he said; "she has scarcely slept at all these many weeks. Nature is recruiting herself; hut for this, life or reason must have perished; this may save her. This trance will endure at least twenty-four hours longer, prohably beyond that. Leave her in perfect silence, for any sudden awakening might prove fatal." This was about six o'clock in the evening, and relying upon the doctor's dictum her attendants left her to her repose for the night; and worn out by the anxieties and woes they had shared with their mistress retired themselves soon afterwards. But the physician was much out in his judgment, for a little before ten Ethel awoke with a strange suddenness. She sat up in bed, and by the light of the night lamp looked around. Her mind, still under the influence of the powerful drug, was blank; she could remember nothing. But after a time she slowly traced the events of the preceding day, which she believed to he that. She had fallen asleep in her husband's arms j she must have been conveyed away from the Tower in that condition; they wished to spare her the final parting and would rob her of the few remaining hours of his life. But they should not: it was still night; she would return to the Tower, and if they would not admit her she would sit at the gate until--he came forth. There was a fever in her blood that was fast mounting to her brain. She arose, dressed, put on the black-hooded cloak that she now always wore, opened the door without awakenin...