e of the highest degree in Catholic countries, and that she had been
detected in the very act. "Well, well," thought Amine: "it is my
destiny, and I can brave the worst."

To account for the appearance of Father Mathias and the witnesses, it
must be observed, that the little boy Pedro had, the day after Amine's
first attempt, forgotten his promise, and narrated to his mother all
that had passed. The widow, frightened at what the boy had told her,
thought it right to go to Father Mathias, and confide to him what her
son had told her, as it was, in her opinion, sorcery. Father Mathias
questioned Pedro closely, and, convinced that such was the case,
determined to have witnesses to confront Amine. He, therefore, proposed
that the boy should appear to be willing to try again, and had
instructed him for the purpose, having previously arranged that they
should break in upon Amine, as we have described.

About half an hour afterwards, two men dressed in black gowns came into
Amine's room, and requested that she would follow them, or that force
would be used. Amine made no resistance: they crossed the square: the
gate of a large building was opened, they desired her to walk in, and,
in a few seconds, Amine found herself in one of the dungeons of the
Inquisition.

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.

Previous to continuing our narrative, it may be as well to give our
readers some little insight into the nature, ceremonies, and regulations
of the Inquisition, and in describing that of Goa, we may be said to
describe all others, with very trifling, if any, variation.

The Santa Casa, or Inquisition of Goa, is situated on one side of a
large square, called the Terra di Sabaio. It is a massy handsome pile
of stone buildings, with three doors in the front: the centre one is
larger than the two lateral, and it is through the centre door that you
go into the Hall of Judgment. The side-doors lead to spacious and
handsome apartments for the Inquisitors, and officers attached to the
establishment.

Behind these apartments are the cells and dungeons of the Inquisition;
they are in two long galleries, with double doors to each, and are about
ten feet square. There are about two hundred of them; some are much
more comfortable than the others, as light and air are admitted into
them: the others are wholly dark. In the galleries the keepers watch,
and not a word or a sound can proceed from any cell without their being
able to overhear it.