Even as she looked she heard her father command the man to lay on anew.

Then, as before, his eyes met hers; but this time no smile did she see investing them.
Again the whip cracked and fell.

She drew back, but his glance seemed to haunt her even when she no longer saw his face.

A sudden resolution moved her, and in a frenzy of anger and compassion she flung out of the room.

A moment later she burst like a beautiful virago into the courtyard.
"Stop!" she commanded shrilly, causing both her father and the executioner to turn, and the latter pausing in his hideous work.