o was the lover of the countess? was not this
invasion of the sacred place undertaken to rescue that guilty woman? and
did she not find an asylum at the abode of your aunt, doubtless with
your connivance, until the day of her arrest?"

"None of those circumstances, my lord," replied Flora, "do I attempt to
deny: but it is so easy to give them a variety of colorings, some of
which, alas! may seem most unfavorable to my venerable relative and to
myself. Oh, my lord, do with me what thou wilt," exclaimed Flora,
clasping her hands together in a single paroxysm of anguish; "but
release that aged woman, suffer not my beloved aunt--my more than mother
to be thus persecuted! have mercy, my lord, upon _her_--oh! have mercy,
great judge, upon her."

"Flora--dearest Flora," cried Dame Francatelli, the tears trickling fast
down her countenance, "I do not wish to leave you--I do not seek to be
set free--I will stay in this dreadful place so long as you remain a
prisoner also; for though we are separated----"

"Woman," exclaimed the grand inquisitor, not altogether unmoved by this
touching scene, "the tribunal cannot take heed of supplications and
prayers of an impassioned nature. It has to do with facts, not
feelings."

At this moment there was a slight sensation amongst the familiars
stationed near the door of the judgment-hall; and an individual who had
just entered the court, and who wore the black robe and the cap or toque
of a counselor, advanced toward the grand inquisitor.

"My lord," said the advocate, with a reverential bow, "the day after the
arrest of these females, I submitted to the council of state a memorial,
setting forth certain facts which induced the president of the council
to issue his warrant to order the postponement of the second examination
of the two prisoners now before your eminence, until this day."

"And the case has been postponed accordingly," answered the grand
inquisitor. "It will now proceed, unless reasonable cause be shown for
further delay. The prisoners are obstinate. Instead of confessing their
heinous crimes, and throwing themselves on the mercy of Heaven--for past
the hope of human mercy they are--they assuredly break forth into
impassioned language, savoring of complaint. Indeed, the younger
attributes to the machinations of unknown enemies the position in which
she is placed. Yet have we positive proof that she was leagued with
those who perpetrated the sacrilege which ended in the d