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Making the Guy: Columbus

With that self-reliance so peculiar to her, she resolved on a step which seemed The Death-Bed of Columbus.

The sense of deep wrong on a sensitive, 1maginative man who, amid all the bustle of an active and exciting life, ever seemed to walk in an atmosphere of his own, as rash and imprudent at first sight as it could not but be enduring. In Columbus afterward proved the contrary. Having it was ineffaceable. During the last observed pretty closely the character of a years of his life the chains he had so un- Mrs. Mills, of whom she had hired lodgjustly worn were ever before him, and ings in Drury Lane, London, she sent for her to her own apartment, and informed vision I had before left in the Tower. The her that, all hope of pardon now being guards whom my liberality the day before lost, she had determined on a scheme to effect Lord Nithisdale's escape. had endeared me to, let me go quietly out with my company, and were not so strictly on the watch as usual, as they were per "This," she said, "is the last night before his execution;" and then passion- suaded, from what I had told them the ately appealed to her feelings to assist day before, that the prisoners would obher in the attempt she meditated, by tain their pardon. I made Mrs. Mills take accompanying her at once to the Tower, off her own hood, and put on that which I in order that Lord Nithisdale might had brought for her. I then took her by escape in one of her dresses, for which the hand, and led her out of my lord's scheme she had arranged every detail. chamber; and in passing through the A coach was called, and they, with a next room, in which were several people, Mrs. Morgan, started for the Tower, Lady with all the concern imaginable, I said, Nithisdale talking all the way, for fear 'My dear Mrs. Catherine, go in all haste they should have time for reflection, and and send me my waiting-maid; she cerchange their minds. As they drove along tainly cannot reflect how late it is. I am she explained the details of her scheme- to present my petition to-night, and if I namely, that Mrs. Morgan was to wear let slip this opportunity, I am undone, for over her own clothes a dress of Mrs. Mills' to-morrow is too late. Hasten her as (who was a large woman), for Lord Nith- much as possible, for I shall be on the isdale to put on, with other disguise, and thorns till she comes.' so pass the wardens. "When I had seen her safe out, I re- "On our arrival," says Lady Nithisdale, turned to my lord, and finished dressing "I first brought in Mrs Morgan, calling him. I had taken care that Mrs. Mills her a friend of my lord's come to take did not go out crying, as she came in, leave of him. When Mrs. Morgan had that my lord might better pass for the taken off the dress of Mrs. Mills, which lady who came in crying and afflicted; she had brought for my purpose, I con- and the more so as he had the same dress ducted her back to the staircase, and in that she wore. When I had almost fingoing, I begged her to send my maid to ished dressing my lord, I perceived it was dress me, as I was afraid of being too late growing dark, and was afraid that the to present my last petition that night if light of the candles might betray us, so I she did not come immediately. I went resolved to set off. I went out, leading partly down-stairs to meet Mrs. Mills, him by the hand, whilst he held his handwho had her handkerchief to her face, as kerchief to his eyes. I spoke to him in was natural for a person going to take the most piteous and afflicted tone, be a last leave of a friend before his execu- wailing bitterly the negligence of my tion; and I had desired her to do this, that maid Evans, who had ruined me by her my lord might go out in the same manner. delay. Then I said: 'My dear Mrs. Betty, for the love of God, run quickly and bring her with you-you know my lodging; and if you ever made despatch in " I had got an artifical head-dress, of the same colored hair as hers, and rouged his face and cheeks, to conceal his beard, your life, do it at present. I am almost which he had not time to shave. Ali this pro- distracted with this disappointment.' "The guards opened the door, and I The countess, after boldly proceeding to went down-stairs with him, still conjur- Scotland to secure some valuable papers, ing him to make all possible despatch. returned to London, defying all efforts to As soon as he had cleared the door, I arrest her, and at last joined her husband made him walk before me, for fear the at Rome, where both died some years sentinel should take notice of his walk; but after.