"It wants but a quarter to four," said the Baron. "I wonder whether this scene is to last any longer?"
"But I pray," said Susi, shuddering; "it's but a sheet of paper. If you take another, and write some other words upon it, you can allow Viola to live."
"Oh indeed! Why should we not? Be off, we've had trouble enough on your account! Mr. Catspaw won't write another sentence to please you."
"Not to please me; but because it's a question of life and death."
"My good woman," sighed Kishlaki, wiping his eyes, "we have no power to alter the sentence!"
"No power? No——"
"It is impossible!" said Zatonyi.
The poor woman shrieked and fell on the floor. She was taken away; and the sentence was read to Viola.
As the judges left the room, Shoskuty said to Zatonyi:—
"God be thanked that it is over!"