The prisoner, however, without appearing to take the trouble of listening to the indictment, pleaded guilty, and no representations on the part of the court availed to induce her to retract her plea.
After much time had been wasted in a fruitless attempt to prevail upon her to reconsider her words, the court proceeded, according to the usual form, to pass sentence.
This having been done, the prisoner was about to be removed, when she said, in a low, distinct voice:
“A word—a word, my lord!—Is Lord Glenfallen here in the court?”
On being told that he was, she raised her voice to a tone of loud menace, and continued:
“Hardress, Earl of Glenfallen, I accuse you here in this court of justice of two crimes,—first, that you married a second wife while the first was living; and again, that you prompted me to the murder, for attempting which I am to die. Secure him—chain him—bring him here!”
There was a laugh through the court at these words, which were naturally treated by the judge as a violent extemporary recrimination, and the woman was desired to be silent.
“You won’t take him, then?” she said; “you won’t try him? You’ll let him go free?”
It was intimated by the court that he would certainly be allowed “to go free,” and she was ordered again to be removed.
Before, however, the mandate was executed, she threw her arms wildly into the air, and uttered one piercing shriek so full of preternatural rage and despair, that it might fitly have ushered a soul into those realms where hope can come no more.