The castle seemed but a stone's throw from, them; but the sound of muffled drums and other martial instruments were borne towards them on the air.

Multitudes were thronging in one direction; the Calle Soledad seemed one mass of human heads, save where the scaffold raised its frightful sign above them.

Soldiers were advancing, forming a thin, glittering line through the crowds.

In their centre stood the prisoner.

On, again, dashed the chargers--scarcely a hundred yards separated them from the palace-gate.