Summary

Portrait of Thomas Hardy Thomas Hardy Desperate Remedies — 2. ONE TO TWO O'CLOCK P.M. (1871)

Old and dry mud-splashes from long-forgotten rains disfigured its wheels and sides; the varnish and paint had been scratched and dimmed; ornament had long been forgotten in a restless contemplation of use. Three men sat on the seat, the middle one being Manston. His hands were bound in front of him, his eyes were set directly forward, his countenance pallid, hard, and fixed.
Springrove had told Cytherea of Manston's crime in a few short words. He now said solemnly, 'He is to die.'
'And I cannot mourn for him,' she replied with a shudder, leaning back and covering her face with her hands.
Source: Wikisource

Portrait of Thomas Hardy Thomas Hardy Desperate Remedies — 2. ONE TO TWO O'CLOCK P.M. (1871)

Manston, who had just loosened himself from Edward's grasp, seemed at this moment to renounce his intention of pushing the conflict to a desperate end. 'I give it all up for life--dear life!' he cried, with a hoarse laugh. 'A reckless man has a dozen lives--see how I'll baffle you all yet!'
He rushed out of the house, but no further. The boast was his last. In one half-minute more he was helpless in the hands of his pursuers.
Edward staggered to his feet, and paused to recover breath. His thoughts had never forsaken Cytherea, and his first act now was to hasten up the lane after her.
Source: Wikisource

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