"A hundred pounds if you do it quickly." "Rely on me," rejoined the executioner, throwing away his pipe, which was just finished.
A deep dread calm, like that which precedes a thunderstorm, now prevailed amongst the assemblage.

The thousand voices which a few moments before had been so clamorous were now hushed.

Not a breath was drawn.

The troops had kept a large space clear around the gallows.

The galleries adjoining it were crowded with spectators,--so was the roof of a large tavern, then the only house standing at the end of the Edgeware Road,--so were the trees,--the walls of Hyde Park,--a neighbouring barn, a shed,--in short, every available position.
The cart, meantime, had approached the fatal tree.