ches," answered the Bishop, in a voice that sounded somewhat
husky. "That is the true Catholic doctrine, maiden, which it behoves
all Spaniards to believe, and which they must be compelled to believe.
You understand, maiden. Tell your mother what I say. But here she
comes."

Dona Mercia, wishing to escape from the remarks of her former admirer,
had joined the rest of her guests, and afterwards retired to give some
direction for their entertainment, little dreaming of the dangerous turn
the conversation between her daughter and the Bishop would take.

"Ah, Dona Mercia, I find that your daughter is a little heretic, and
holds in but slight respect the doctrines of the Church. As she tells
me she was instructed in them by her late father, and as he must have
imbibed such abominable principles during his visits to Germany from
that arch-heretic Luther, I trust that they have proceeded no farther.
But let me advise you to be cautious, Dona Mercia, and to inculcate
Catholic principles into the mind of your daughter. Remember that from
henceforth the eyes of the Inquisition will be upon you."

"My lord Bishop, I have ever endeavoured to do my duty to my God, to my
child, and to all around me," answered Dona Mercia, meekly,
unconsciously placing her hands across her bosom. "I trust that I have
no cause to tremble, should the eyes of the whole world be upon me."

"The eyes of the Inquisition are more piercing than those of the whole
world combined," answered Don Gonzales, in a low voice, which came
hissing forth from between his almost clenched lips, in a tone which was
calculated to produce more effect on the mind of the hearer than the
loudest outburst of passion.

When the Bishop rose from his seat, he approached the rest of the
company with a smiling aspect, and addressed them with that dignified
courtesy for which Spaniards have ever been celebrated. Few would have
guessed the feelings which were even then agitating his bosom; still,
the party felt relieved when he and his softly-spoken, keen-eyed
attendants took their departure.

CHAPTER TWO.

THE INQUISITION.

At the time our story commences, the inquisitors scarcely suspected how
far the opinions they so much dreaded had extended. They had satisfied
themselves hitherto with burning Jews, Moors, and the poorer class of
Christians, whose opinions did not agree with those of the Roman
Catholic Church. Thus, when Don Gonzales Munebrega, soon after his