Some evidence was also
expected from Matilda and her son. When the coach house doors were
thrown open, all hilarity ceased--even the children seemed to realize
that something very solemn was going on. A weight of trouble and danger
was lifted off many hearts by the terrible tragedy, yet in no soul was
there the least feeling of exultation. The fate of the victims was too
awful, too sudden for anyone to feel aught but horror at the thought of
it, and deep sorrow for one at least who had perished in his sins. The
light-hearted lawyer took one look at the remains of him, whom, within
the past few days, he had seen so often in the full enjoyment of life
and health, and resolved that never again, in prose or verse, would he
speak of the person, whose crimes and cunning had returned so avengingly
upon his own head, as the Grinstun man. Mr. Pawkins joked no more, for,
with all his playful untruthfulness, he had a feeling heart. The most
unconcerned man outwardly was Mr. Bangs, and even he said that he would
willingly have given a hundred dollars to see his prisoner safely in
gaol with the chaplain, and afterwards decently hanged.
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