Page:Tale of the Rebellion of 1745, or, The broken heart (1).pdf/10

                     10 leaders of the Manchester regiment the vengeance of the blood-thirsty law first fell. It was on the evening of the 14th of July, 1746, James Dawson sat in his prison, Fanny sat by his side, with her hand in his, and his parents were present also, when the jailor entered, and ordered him to prepare to hold himself ready for his trial, in the court-house at St Margaret’s, Southwark, on the following day. His father groaned—his mother exclaimed, “my son! ”—but Fanny sat motionless. No tear was in her eye—no muscle in her countenance moved. Her fingers grasped his with a firmer pressure— but she evinced no other symptom of having heard the mandate that was delivered. They rose to de- part, and a low deep sigh issued from her bosom; but she showed no sign of violent grief—her feel- ings were already exhausted—her heart could bear no more. On the following day, eighteen victims, with the gallant Townly at their head, were brought forth for trial, before a grand jury. Amongst them, and as one of the chief, was James Dawson. Fanny had insisted on being present. She heard the word guilty pronounced with a yet deeper apathy than she had evinced at the announcement of his trial. She folded her hands on her bosom, her lips moved in prayer, but she shed not a single tear, nor breathed a single sigh. She arose, and beckoned to her attendants, who accompanied her from the court-house. Still his friends entertained the hope that the Pardon Power might be moved—they redoubled their exertions—they increased their importunity —they were willing to make any sacrifice that his life might be but saved—and even then, at the eleventh hour, they hoped against hope, but Fanny yielded not to vain thoughts. Day after day she sat by her lover’s side, and she, in her turn,