In great distress of mind, Mr. Berners followed the sheriff into the warden's office.
Old Mr. Martin, who was at his desk, came to meet the visitors.
"One moment, Martin. I will see you in one moment. Just now, I wish to speak to Mr. Berners," said the sheriff, as he drew Lyon Berners aside.
"What is it now?" inquired Sybil's husband, in an agony of alarm for her sake.
"Can you not surmise?" compassionately suggested the sheriff.
"I--Oh, great Heaven!--I dare not!" he exclaimed, throwing up his hands and clasping his head.
"You must know that the petition sent up to the Governor for her pardon has been returned with an adverse decision."
"Oh, try to be firm! I must now tell you the worst. The petition did not come down alone--" The speaker paused an instant, and then added gravely and compassionately:
"There was another document came down with it--a document that I must read to her."
Lyon Berners uttered these words with such a groan of anguish and despair as seemed to have rent his soul and body asunder as he reeled and caught at the window frame for support, and then dropped into a chair by its side.
"Mr. Berners, for her sake! for heaven's sake! bear up now! Martin, a glass of brandy here! quick!"
The warden who always kept a bottle on his desk, hurriedly filled a tumbler half full of brandy, and hastened up with it.
"Drink it! drink it all!" said the sheriff, putting the glass into Mr. Berners' hand.
Lyon Berners drank the strong and fiery spirit, feeling it no more than if it had been water.
A few moments passed, during which Mr. Berners struggled hard for self-control, while the warden in a low voice inquired:
As the sheriff whispered these awful words, the warden clasped his hands, saying fervently:
Then the sheriff turned to Mr. Berners, who had again sank upon a chair, and was still striving to recover himself, and he kindly inquired:
"Are you ready now to go with us to her cell? She will need your support in this trying hour."
"Heaven give me strength! Yes, I am ready!" said Mr. Berners.
And the ministers of fate went to take the death warrant to the cell of Sybil Berners.
She looked on many a face with vacant eye, On many a token without knowing what; She saw them watch her without asking why, And recked not who around her pillow sat.--BYRON.