e accusations against her were read. She was accused by
Father Mathias with practising forbidden arts, and the depositions of
the boy Pedro and the other witnesses were read. In his zeal, Father
Mathias also stated that he had found her guilty of the same practices
at Terneuse; and, moreover, that in the violent storm, when all expected
to perish, she had remained calm and courageous and told the captain
that they would be saved; which could only have been known by an undue
spirit of prophecy, given by evil spirits. Amine's lip curled in
derision when she heard the last accusation. She was asked if she had
any defence to make.

"What defence can be offered," replied she, "to such accusations as
these? Witness the last--because I was not so craven as the Christians,
I am accused of sorcery. The old dotard! but I will expose him. Tell
me, if one knows that sorcery is used, and conceals or allows it, is he
not a participator and equally guilty?"

"He is," replied the Inquisitor, anxiously awaiting the result.

"Then I denounce--" and Amine was about to reveal that Philip's mission
was known, and not forbidden by Fathers Mathias and Seysen; when,
recollecting that Philip would be implicated, she stopped.

"Denounce whom?" inquired the Inquisitor.

"No one," replied Amine, folding her arms and dropping her head.

"Speak, woman!"

Amine made no answer.

"The torture will make you speak."

"Never!" replied Amine. "Never! Torture me to death, if you choose; I
prefer it to a public execution!"

The Inquisitor and the secretary consulted a short time. Convinced that
Amine would adhere to her resolution and requiring her for public
execution, they abandoned the idea of the torture.

"Do you confess?" inquired the Inquisitor.

"No," replied Amine, firmly.

"Then take her away."

The night before the _auto-da-fe_, Father Mathias again entered the cell
of Amine, but all his endeavours to convert her were useless.

"To-morrow will end it all, father," replied Amine; "leave me--I would
be alone."

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.

_We_ must now return to Philip and Krantz. When the latter retired from
the presence of the Portuguese Commandant, he communicated to Philip
what had taken place, and the fabulous tale which he had invented to
deceive the Commandant. "I said that you alone knew where the treasure
was concealed," continued Krantz, "that you might be sent for, for in
all probability he will keep me as