The keen knife and the branding-iron were called into play, and in the bleeding and mutilated object before them, now stamped with indelible infamy, none could have recognised the once haughty and handsome Sir Giles Mompesson.
A third person, we have said, stood upon the pillory.

He took no part in aiding the tormentor in his task; but he watched all that was done with atrocious satisfaction.

Not a groan--not the quivering of a muscle escaped him.

He felt the edge of the knife to make sure it was sharp enough for the purpose, and saw that the iron was sufficiently heated to burn the characters of shame deeply in.

When all was accomplished, he seized Mompesson's arm, and, in a voice that seemed scarcely human, cried,--"Now, I have paid thee back in part for the injuries thou hast done me.