If he had hitherto lived years in minutes—he now seemed to exist whole centuries in moments!
All the fears which had previously struck him one by one, now rushed in an aggregate crowd to his soul.
The next two minutes were all of fury and horror—fury in his brain, horror in his heart!
But at last the gate of the gaol opened; and a gruff voice exclaimed, "Now then!"
The Earl's three men-servants hastened to range themselves near the door of the hearse, which one of them opened: and when the gaol-officials appeared, bearing the coffin, these servants advanced a few paces to relieve them of their burthen, and thrust it into the hearse, while Dr. Lascelles diverted the attention of the officials by distributing money amongst them.
This proceeding, which had been pre-arranged by the Earl and the physician with the three servants, was absolutely necessary: because Jacob Smith was concealed within the hearse!
The affair having proceeded successfully thus far, the hearse moved away; and the five persons who acted as mourners entered the black coach, which also drove off.
For the sake of appearances it was necessary that the vehicles should move slowly along, until the outskirts of the multitude were entirely passed: and then—when Blackman Street was reached—the hearse and the black coach were driven along at a rate which is adopted by funeral processions only when the obsequies are over.
CHAPTER LIV.
GALVANISM.
By the time St. George's Church was passed, the drivers had whipped their horses into a furious gallop;—and on—on went the mourning vehicles like the wind.