Murmurs of approbation.
Cleofas. And that in the same body the devil can place one of his imps, who will not change its appearance.
Renewed approbation.
Calabazas. And the other sorceress?—This young peasant woman from Torrijos, whom they found in a wood at dawn stretched naked on ground which had been trampled by infernal dances and which was still littered with the remains of an infernal feast and firebrands and ashes—Master Oliveira, do you believe she too is innocent?
Oliveira. I have good cause to believe it!—She is a poor girl from the fields who was seduced by her master, who abandoned her and her child and left them in deep misery. A passing vagrant invited her to go to a witches’ meeting where Satan would provide her with plenty of gold. He took her to a nocturnal gathering of beggars and ragamuffins, who with the aid of some rogue put her into a sleep, from which she awakened at dawn with the vague memory of horrible debauchery!—An orgie! Yes! But witches’ meeting?—Who will prove it?——
Cleofas. The sigillum or stigma Diaboli, Master Oliveira! That mark which the devil makes with his pitchfork, or the horny spots on the bodies of his creatures, such as we have found, you and I, in two places on this girl’s skin. Our needles penetrated them without drawing blood and they were not felt.
Murmurs of approval.
Oliveira. I found three on the body of the Superior of the Incarnation, who afterward died in unquestioned sainthood!
He walks toward the foot of the stage, followed by the eyes of the displeased Inquisitors.
Calabazas. (In a low voice) This surgeon is too much of a reasoner!