Page:Life and transactions of Mrs. Jane Shore (2).pdf/24

 24 publishing her own dishonour : she threw herself at the fact of the judges, confessed the intrigue, and added, that it was impossible he could be the criminal, because she had always let him in and out of the house herself. This declaration being considered by the judge as a love stratagem, it produced no effect, and the unfortunate youth, probabile to endure the pain of the torture, con- lessed the robbery, and required as a particular favour, that the judges would not delay his death; but fortunately for him, this request was not complied with, it being the custom in those days to postpone the execution of crimi- nals to stated days, that the number might strike more terror, and serve as a more forcible example to the spec- ators. In the interval, the hand of Providence wrought his deliverance.—Two highwaymen, were condemned for real crimes, and being under sentence of death, were thrown into the same dungeon. Here they learned the cause of his deplorable situation, and having no hopes of life themselves, they resolved net to suffer an innocent man to die for a crime they had committed. Without loss of time, therefore, they imparted to the judges such evident proofs of their having committed the robbery, that the youth was set at liberty; and the judges, struck with their own error which shewed the cruelty and absurdity of the torture, applied to the legislature, and obtained a legal abolition of this custom for ever; and, as a recompense to the lover, they used all their interest with the lady's father, who seeing himself so powerfully solicited, granted his consent, and they were happily united.