Bonin, sprung like a fury first upon it, and stamped upon it, with all
his force. He was speedily followed by the nuns, until there were as
many upon the bed as could find room, and all did what they could, not
only to smother, but to bruise her. Some stood up and jumped upon the
poor girl with their feet, some with their knees, and others in
different ways seemed to seek how they might best beat the breath out of
her body, and mangle it, without coming in direct contact with it, or
seeing the effects of their violence. During this time, my feelings were
almost too strong to be endured. I felt stupefied, and was scarcely
conscious of what I did. Still, fear for myself remained in a sufficient
degree to induce me to some exertion, and I attempted to talk to those
who stood next, partly that I might have an excuse for turning away from
the dreadful scene.

After the lapse of fifteen or twenty minutes, and when it was presumed
that the sufferer had been smothered, and crushed to death, Father Bonin
and the nuns ceased to trample upon her, and stepped from the bed. All
was motionless and silent beneath it.

They then began to laugh at such inhuman thoughts as occurred to some of
them, rallying each other in the most unfeeling manner, and ridiculing
me for the feelings which I in vain endeavoured to conceal. They alluded
to the resignation of our murdered companion, and one of them tauntingly
said, "She would have made a good Catholic martyr." After spending some
moments in such conversation, one of them asked if the corpse should be
removed. The Superior said it had better remain a little while. After
waiting a short time longer, the feather-bed was taken off, the cords
unloosed, and the body taken by the nuns and dragged down stairs. I was
informed that it was taken into the cellar, and thrown unceremoniously
into the hole which I have already described, covered with a great