im--it might
be, if victims were required, to be consigned to the flames, or perhaps
to add to the sad band of penitents supposed to have recanted their
errors. Such was the character of several of those accused of heresy,
though by far the larger number of persons seized by the Inquisition
gladly suffered death rather than deny the truth. And now another
prisoner appears--a female. She is clothed in black from head to foot.
As the light from the lamp which hangs from the roof falls on her
countenance, it is seen to be very pale, but not enough so to detract
from the beauty of those young and fair features.

"Leonor de Cisneros, you are brought here accused of holding opinions
which, if generally entertained, would be subversive of the opinions of
our holy faith," said the Inquisitor, in a peculiarly harsh voice.
"Have you become sensible of your errors? and are you prepared to recant
them?"

"I hold to the doctrines which I have been taught from my earliest days,
and which I find clearly set forth in the blessed Word of God. I am,
therefore, not aware that I hold any errors," answered Leonor, calmly.

"What do you mean by God's holy Word?" asked the Inquisitor.

"The Bible," said Leonor, firmly.

"Are you aware that the Bible is prohibited to the laity, and that, were
it not so, it is not susceptible of any private interpretation?" asked
the Inquisitor.

"I am aware that without the aid of God's Holy Spirit, which when Christ
ascended up on High, He promised to us as our Instructor and
Enlightener, we cannot expect to read aright this blessed Gospel," said
Leonor. "I am aware that in the Second Epistle of Saint Peter, 1st
chapter, 20th verse, there is this expression--`Knowing this first, that
no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.' 21st,
`For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men
of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.' I am aware,
however, that the Greek word epilusis, which has been translated
interpretation, means rather _impetus_, _impulse_; and therefore that
the clear meaning is that no writer of the Scripture wrote according to
his own mind or thoughts, but entirely as he was moved or impelled by
the Holy Spirit. Therefore Peter in no respect contradicts his Lord,
who says, addressing the people, `Search the Scriptures; for in them ye
think ye have eternal life: and they are they which speak of me.' Oh,
my lords, what I have done--wh