The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 101: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

84 REYNOLDS’ WORKS was a firm believer; but his mode of life had, for obvious reasons, Somewhat militated against pious habits. He did not now choose to receive consolations from a Catholic; he therefore bluntly enough informed the priest who spoke English that he should certainly like to have the spiritual comfort of a Protestant clergyman, but that if this were impossible, he would sooner make his peace with Heaven in his own way than accept the ministry of an ecclesiasti¢ be- longing to another faith. The priest argued and reasoned with him; the prisoner was firm, though perfectly respect- ful, and finding that he could make no impression, the Franciscan knelt down, in company with the chaplain, the two thus offering up prayers in Ned Russell’s cell, but in a language which he could not understand. He wished to be alone, he wished to commune with himself during the last moments which remained to him in this life, but the Franciscans would not hear of it. They persisted in remaining, and as he gave them credit for good intentions, he said nothing rude. Withdrawing his attention from them, however, as much as possible, he prayed inwardly, and with a heartfelt devotion which never in his life had he experi- enced before. But the intercession which he sent up to Heaven from the very depths of his soul was far more on his beloved Kate’s account than his own, and he besought Providence to endow her with the fortitude to bear the bitter bereavement which he felt to be inevitable. | The fatal hour approached, and at about a quarter to eleven, the executioner entered the cell, accompanied by the governor of the prison, a notary, and three or four gendarmes. The notary read the warrant of execution, signed* by the captain-general, and of the issuing of which the prisoner had received due notice on the previous evening from the gov- ernor through the medium of an interpreter. The executioner then proceeded to bind the prisoner’s arms and hands, which he did in such a way as to give him the appearance of being in the attitude of prayer. A glass of wine was next held to his lips, but this Russell refused; he would not have it thought that he was in the slightest degree indebted to alcoholic liquor for the courage which he felt sure he should be enabled to display. A procession was now formed, the two priests leading it, and the front gate of the gaol was reached. Several streets CONNIE OO KS GO m