ed, either on his own account, of that of any other
person.

He was neither so weak nor vain as to flatter himself his positiveness
in denying what could be proved by so many witnesses, would be of any
service at his trial; but as it was expected he should say something
in his defence, and could say nothing else, without giving up his
friend, he was determined not to depart from what he had alledged at
first.

The count d' Ermand, who possibly had a suspicion of the truth, as it
seems he long had entertained some jealous thoughts of the baron d'
Eyrac, who had taken all opportunities of testifying an uncommon
gallantry to his wife, would have given almost a limb to satiate his
revenge against that gentleman:--the soldiers had been re-examined
several times concerning that other person who was with them at the
monastery, and had made his escape; but as they had neither seen his
face, nor heard his name, it was impossible for them to make any
discoveries:--these poor wretches were afterwards put to the torture,
but that had, nor indeed could have, any other effect, than to make
them curse their officer, who had been the cause of their sufferings.

In fine, monsieur d' Ermand, and the kindred of his wife, joined with
the instigations of the clergy, who thought they had an equal right
for revenge in this point, prevailed so far upon the civil
magistrates, as to procure an order, that Natura should himself
undergo the same tortures his soldiers had done, thereby to extort
that confession from him they could no otherwise procure:--this,
notwithstanding, they had the lenity to inform him of, the day before
that which was prefixed for the execution, thinking perhaps, that the
menace of what he was condemned to endure, would be sufficient: but
tho' human nature could not but shrink under such apprehensions, yet
did his fortitude remain unshaken, and he thought of nothing but how
to arm himself, so as to bear all should be inflicted on him with
courage.

But there were no more than a few hours in which he had to meditate on
what he had to do, when his affairs took a very different turn, and by
the most unthought-of means imaginable: It was towards the close of
day, when the wife of the exempt came into his chamber, and having
locked the door, 'I am come, captain,' said she, 'to offer you life,
liberty, and what is yet more, to put it in your power to avoid those
dreadful tortures, which are preparing for you!--what would you