Then, as if acting by a sudden impulse,—as if afraid to trust herself with the thoughts that were crowding into her mind,—she placed her hands upon the railing.
One leap—and she stood upon the rail.
For a single instant she seemed as if she would fall backwards upon the platform of the Monument; and her arms were agitated convulsively, like the motions of one who endeavours to gain a lost balance.
Then she sprang forwards.
Terrific screams burst from her lips as she rolled over and over in her precipitate whirl.
Down she fell!
Her head dashed against the pavement, at a distance of three yards from the base of the Monument.
Her brains were scattered upon the stones.
She never moved from the moment she touched the ground:—the once gay, sprightly, beautiful patrician lady was no more!
A crowd instantaneously collected around her; and horror was depicted on every countenance, save one, that gazed upon the sad spectacle.