The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

A FRIEND IN NEED 7 once more expressed her fervid gratitude to Don Diego Christoval for the kindness he was showing her, proceeded in the post-chaise in the direction of Madrid, while the count took the road to Barcelona. On arriving in this city, Don Diego at once made inquiries respecting Captain Russell, and was much shocked on learn- ing that the trial had taken place on the previous day, that sentence of death had been pronounced, and that the culprit was to be executed, by the strangling process of the garrote, on the following morning, that is to say, the morning after the count’s arrival in Barcelona. He lost not a moment in visiting the palace of the captain-general, — not the same, be it well understood, who was governor of the principality at the time when Christoval was an outlaw amongst the mountains. ‘The present captain-general had only recently been appointed to his present post, and Don Diego had met him in society at Madrid. The general knew everything in favour of Don Diego, and nothing to his discredit; or if he were at all informed on the latter point, he did not choose to remember it on the part of one who was now possessed of considerable wealth. He therefore received the count with becoming courtesy, but he shook his head when the latter unfolded to him the nature of his business. “Tt is impossible, my dear count,” answered the captain- general. ‘“ I dare not suspend the execution of the sentence. You are aware the smuggling on this coast has of late years reached a pitch perfectly intolerable, and even without collateral circumstances of a dark nature, it would be neces- sary to make an example. But in the present instance there are these circumstances, and they are of the blackest dye. Three lives were lost — ’’ “| am aware of it — too painfully aware of it,’’ responded Christoval, ‘“ but your Excellency must bear in mind that the unfortunate prisoner only acted in self-defence, and could not restrain his own men.”’ ‘ All this was alleged on his behalf at the trial yesterday,” responded the captain-general, ‘‘ but it could not be denied that he was the leader of the men by whom the slaughter was perpetrated. It was his own vessel whence the landing was effected, his own goods that were attempted to be run ashore. No, Count Christoval, it is impossible, I cannot suspend this sentence.’ CONNIE DOOKS (EO)