ne's body--the wood and faggots piled around her. The same
preparations had been made with all the other culprits, and the
confessors stood by the side of each victim. Amine waved her hand
indignantly to those who approached her, when Father Mathias, almost
breathless, made his appearance from the crowd, through which he had
forced his way.

"Amine Vanderdecken--unhappy woman! had you been counselled by me this
would not have been. Now it is too late, but not too late to save your
soul. Away then with this obstinacy--this hardness of heart; call upon
the blessed Saviour, that he may receive your spirit--call upon his
wound's for mercy. It is the eleventh hour, but not too late. Amine,"
continued the old man with tears, "I implore you, I conjure you. At
least, may this load of trouble be taken from my heart."

"`Unhappy woman!' you say?" replied she, "say rather, `unhappy priest:'
for Amine's sufferings will soon be over, while you must still endure
the torments of the damned. Unhappy was the day when my husband rescued
you from death. Still more unhappy the compassion which prompted him to
offer you an asylum and a refuge. Unhappy the knowledge of you from the
_first_ day to the _last_. I leave you to your conscience--if
conscience you retain--nor would I change this cruel death for the pangs
which you in your future life will suffer. Leave me--_I die in the
faith of my forefathers_, and scorn a creed that warrants such a scene
as this."

"Amine Vanderdecken," cried the priest on his knees, clasping his hands
in agony.

"Leave me, Father."

"There is but a minute left--for the love of God--"

"I tell you then, leave me--that minute is my own."

Father Mathias turned away in despair, and the tears coursed down the
old man's cheeks. As Amine said, his misery was extreme.

The head executioner now inquired of the confessors whether the culprits
died in the _true_ faith? If answered in the affirmative, a rope was
passed round their necks and twisted to the stake, so that they were
strangled before the fire was kindled. All the other culprits had died
in this manner; and the head executioner inquired of Father Mathias,
whether Amine had a claim to so much mercy. The old priest answered
not, but shook his head.

The executioner turned away. After a moment's pause, Father Mathias
followed him, and seized him by the arm saying, in a faltering voice,
"Let her not suffer long."

The Grand Inquisitor