n
envoy, and should your eminence refuse my requisition for a delay, it
will be my duty forthwith to apply to that august body."

The grand inquisitor endeavored to reason with the advocate on the
inconvenience of obstructing the business of the tribunal--but Angelo
Duras, knowing that he had the law on his side, was firm; and the judge
was finally compelled to accord the delay. Flora and her aunt were
accordingly conveyed back each to her separate cell; while Angelo Duras
retired, murmuring to himself, "I shall doubtless offend my brother by
my conduct in this respect, after my solemn promise to him to abandon
the cause of the Francatellis; but I prefer having obeyed that young man
of godlike aspect and persuasive manner who visited me ere now to abjure
me not to neglect my duty."

The next case that occupied the attention of the grand inquisitor on the
present occasion was that of the Jew Isaachar ben Solomon. The old man
was indeed a miserable spectacle. His garments hung loosely about his
wasted and attenuated form--his countenance was wan and ghastly--but the
fire of his eyes was not altogether quenched. He was heavily
chained--and, as he walked between the two familiars who led him into
the tribunal, he could scarcely drag himself along. For the persecuted
old man had been confined for nearly seven months in the prison of the
inquisition; and during that period he had suffered acutely with the
damps of his dungeon--the wretched food doled out to him--and the
anguish occasioned by conscious innocence unjustly accused of a dreadful
crime.

"Jew," said the grand inquisitor, "when last thou wast examined by me,
thou didst obstinately refuse to confess thy grievous sins. This is the
day for the final investigation of thy case: and thou may'st produce
witnesses in thy favor, if thou canst."

"My lord," replied Isaachar ben Solomon, in a weak and tremulous voice,
"unless Heaven should work a miracle in my favor, I have no hope in this
life. I do not fear death, my lord; for, persecuted, reviled, despised,
accused as I am, I can yet lay my hand on my heart and say I have never
injured a fellow-creature. But, my lord," he continued, his voice
growing stronger with excitement, "it is sufficient that I am a Jew to
insure my condemnation; and yet strange indeed is that Christian faith,
or rather should I say, most inconsistent is the conduct of those who
profess it, in so far as this ruthless persecution of my race is
co