ged to ascertain if his suspicions were correct. So strictly,
however, was each individual prisoner guarded, that he might never have
ascertained the truth, had not a storm suddenly burst on the heads of
the escort. Shelter was not far off, and while the horsemen were
pushing on to gain it, one of the party made a bold attempt to escape.
He had grasped the rein of one of the female's horses, when a flash of
lightning made it rear, and he had great difficulty in saving the rider
from being thrown to the ground. In doing so, his hood became
disarranged, and the features of De Seso were revealed. The officers of
the Inquisition immediately seized him and secured him more carefully,
while he and the lady were separated.

"Alas! my noble friend is in the same condition as myself," thought
Domingo. "May God in His mercy support him; but he suffers not alone.
He will feel the sufferings of his beloved wife even more than his own.
And we, alas! alas! are but a few, perhaps, out of many hundred
Christians now in the power of these monsters of the Inquisition."

The unfortunate prisoners were allowed no rest, were permitted to
communicate with no one, but were hurried on till they reached the
portals of that mansion of horror and despair--the Inquisition. But was
it to them an abode of despair? No! A power more than human supported
them. That strength which never fails those who put their faith in God
held them up; for God has promised that His Holy Spirit, the Comforter,
will be with them who trust in Him in all their troubles and
afflictions.

As soon as they passed through the gates, each of the prisoners was
conducted blindfolded to separate cells. Into these dark and foul holes
delicate women and men, accustomed to all the refinements the age
afforded, were thrust indiscriminately. No couch, no chairs, even, were
allowed them; when weary of standing, they were compelled to sit down on
the hard, cold and damp flag-stones. Scarcely a ray of light was
admitted into their dens; the only sounds which ever reached their ears
being occasionally the groans and cries of their companions in
suffering. The system pursued by the inquisitors was too generally
known to allow them a ray of hope that they would escape without the
most fearful torture, or the alternative of giving evidence to condemn
those nearest and dearest to them.

CHAPTER SIX.

THE ARREST.

Antonio Herezuelo and his wife Leonor knelt in prayer af