“No one,” replied Amine, folding her arms and dropping her head.
“Speak, woman!”
Amine made no answer.
“The torture will make you speak.”
“Never!” replied Amine. “Never! Torture me to death, if you choose; I prefer it to a public execution!”
The Inquisitor and the secretary consulted a short time. Convinced that Amine would adhere to her resolution and requiring her for public execution, they abandoned the idea of the torture.
“Do you confess?” inquired the Inquisitor.
“No,” replied Amine, firmly.
“Then take her away.”
The night before the auto-da-fé, Father Mathias again entered the cell of Amine, but all his endeavours to convert her were useless.