There was little effusion of blood, but death was delayed only a few minutes.

Even as Cuthbert looked at him, the man gave a deep groan.

His eyelids flickered a few moments, and then his jaw dropped, a quiver passed through his frame, which then became absolutely still.
Cuthbert shook his head.
"He is dead!" cried Petronella, in a voice of compunction and awe--"he is dead; and I have killed him!" She put her hands before her eyes and shivered.

It was something of a terror to her that she should have done this thing.

She shook in every limb.
"I did not mean to kill him--I never thought of killing him; I only thought of how to save thee, Cuthbert.