"

The man addressed was a brawny, muscular ruffian, with a livid and
forbidding countenance, whose dark eyes sparkled with pleasure as he
bowed assent to the interrogation.

"Hold!" cried Landon. "The truth can no longer harm any but myself;
and though you may inflict death upon me, you shall not enjoy the
fiendish satisfaction of mutilating my limbs with your horrid
enginery. I did aid Hamilton, not indeed in ruining an injured maiden,
but in rescuing from the thraldom she abhorred a lovely lady whom
Providence formed to make the happiness of an honorable man. By this
time Estella is a happy bride."

"Her joys will be shortened," said the inquisitor, frowning. "They
cannot long elude the power of Rodrigo d'Almonte, at once judge of the
Holy Office and governor of Valencia."

"Moderate your transports, governor," replied the Englishman, boldly;
"the fugitives are beyond your reach. This very night a swift-winged
felucca bore them away from these accursed shores, to a land of
liberty and happiness."

The brow of Rodrigo grew black as night.

"Insolent!" he answered; "you have outraged and set at naught the
authority of church and state; your life shall pay the forfeit."

"Be it so," replied Landon, folding his arms; "but let me tell you,
that for every drop of blood shed, my country will demand a life. The
cross of St. George protects the meanest subject of the English
crown."

Rodrigo d'Almonte made no reply, but waving his hand, Landon was
removed from the tribunal and thrown into a dungeon on the same floor
with the hall of torture.

* * * * *

Towards the close of a sultry summer day, the narrow streets of
Valencia wore an aspect of unusual activity and life, filled, as they
were, with representatives of every class of citizens. The tide of
human beings seemed to be setting in one direction, towards a plaza,
or square, in the centre. The Alameda was deserted by its fashionable
promenaders; and young and old--all, indeed, who were not
bedridden--were at length congregated in the square. The attraction
was soon explained; for in the centre of the plaza was seen a lofty
platform of wood, on which was erected a stout stake or pillar, to
which was affixed an iron chain and ring. Around this were heaped, to
the height of several feet, huge fagots of dry wood, ready for the
torch. A large body of men-at-arms kept the crowd back from a large
open space around the platform. These