t I would now remove you, if you will
permit me, Amine."

"Most willingly; I'll follow you."

"Nay, nay; there is much to talk over, much to be done. This is not a
dungeon from which people can escape so easily."

"Then tell me what have you to say; and what is it must be done?"

"I will."

"But stop; before you say one word, answer me one question as you hope
for bliss. Have you heard aught of Philip?"

"Yes, I have. He is well."

"And where is he?"

"He will soon be here."

"God, I thank thee! shall I see him, father?"

"That must depend upon yourself."

"Upon myself? Then tell me, quickly, what would they have me do?"

"Confess your sins--your crimes."

"What sins?--what crimes?"

"Have you not dealt with evil beings, invoked the spirits, and gained
the assistance of those who are not of this world?"

Amine made no reply.

"Answer me. Do you not confess?"

"I do not confess to have done anything wrong."

"This is useless. You were seen by me and others. What will avail your
denial? Are you aware of the punishment which most surely awaits you,
if you do not confess, and become a member of our Church?"

"Why am I to become a member of your Church? Do you then punish those
who refuse?"

"No; had you not already consented to receive baptism, you would not
have been asked to become so; but, having been baptised, you must now
become a member, or be supposed to fall back into heresy."

"I knew not the nature of your baptism at that time."

"Granted; but you consented to it."

"Be it so. But pray, what may be the punishment, if I refuse?"

"You will be burnt alive at the stake; nothing can save you. Hear me,
Amine Vanderdecken: when next summoned, you must confess all; and,
asking pardon, request to be received into the Church; then will you be
saved, and you will--"

"What?"

"Again be clasped in Philip's arms."

"My Philip--my Philip!--you indeed press me hard; but, father, if I
confess I am wrong, when I feel that I am not--"

"Feel that you are not!"

"Yes. I invoked my mother's assistance; she gave it me in a dream.
Would a mother have assisted her daughter if it were wrong?"

"It was not your mother, but a fiend who took the likeness."

"It was my mother. Again you ask me to say that I believe that which I
cannot."

"That which you cannot! Amine Vanderdecken, be not obstinate."

"I am not obstinate, good father. Have you not offered me what is to me
beyond all