SWINDON.
(angrily to the sergeant, who, alarmed at Judith’s movement, has come from the back of the square to pull her back, and stopped irresolutely on finding that he is too late). How is this? Why is she inside the lines?
THE SERGEANT.
(guiltily). I dunno, sir. She’s that artful can’t keep her away.
BURGOYNE.
You were bribed.
THE SERGEANT.
(protesting). No, Sir—
SWINDON.
(severely). Fall back. (He obeys.)
RICHARD.
(imploringly to those around him, and finally to Burgoyne, as the least stolid of them). Take her away. Do you think I want a woman near me now?
BURGOYNE.
(going to Judith and taking her hand). Here, madam: you had better keep inside the lines; but stand here behind us; and don’t look.
Richard, with a great sobbing sigh of relief as she releases him and turns to Burgoyne, flies for refuge to the cart and mounts into it. The executioner takes off his coat and pinions him.
JUDITH.
(resisting Burgoyne quietly and drawing her hand away). No: I must stay. I won’t look. (She goes to the right of the gallows. She tries to look at Richard, but turns away with a frightful shudder, and falls on her knees in prayer. Brudenell comes towards her from the back of the square.)
BURGOYNE.
(nodding approvingly as she kneels). Ah, quite so. Do not disturb her, Mr. Brudenell: that will do very nicely. (Brudenell nods also, and withdraws a little, watching her sympathetically. Burgoyne resumes his former position, and takes out a handsome gold chronometer.) Now then, are those preparations made? We must not detain Mr. Dudgeon.