itwasthussheenteredthegreathallwherethescaffoldwaserected。
Itwasaplatformtwelvefeetwide，raisedabouttwofeetfromthefloor，surroundedwithbarriersandcoveredwithblackserge，andonitwerealittlechair，acushiontokneelon，andablockalsocoveredinblack。Justas，havingmountedthesteps，shesetfootonthefatalboards，theexecutionercameforward，and；askingforgivenessforthedutyhewasabouttoperform，kneeled，hidingbehindhimhisaxe。Marysawit，however，andcried——
“Ah！IwouldratherhavebeenbeheadedintheFrenchway，withasword！……“
“Itisnotmyfault，madam，“saidtheexecutioner，“ifthislastwishofyourMajestycannotbefulfilled；but，nothavingbeeninstructedtobringasword，andhavingfoundthisaxehereonly，Iamobligedtouseit。Willthatpreventyourpardoningme，then？“
“Ipardonyou，myfriend，“saidMary，“andinproofofit，hereismyhandtokiss。“