But none came.
Fully aware of her fate, Silla rose, took her basket, and started homewards with her eyes fixed on the ground.

She was going to the scaffold.

Nikolai accompanied her as far as he dared, reiterating in different ways: "Don't be afraid, Silla, they can't kill you!" Something like a low wail said that she heard him.
When she disappeared round the corner, he made a short cut which only he and one or two old yard cats knew of; and from the hoarding at the bottom of the square he saw her go, with bent head and the same quiet step, without stopping, down the cellar stairs.
When it was dark, he stood outside the window and listened.

He heard her still sobbing quietly, after the storm that had passed over her.
Mrs.Holman had examined and cross-examined, and at last extracted from Silla the confession that she had been with Nikolai.

That she, Mrs.
Holman's daughter, in spite of all prohibitions, sought the society of that misled prodigal, who had rewarded her with such ingratitude, was enough to bring her to her grave.