’You are very cautious, my son.  The Church is no murderess.  This woman must die because her sin is flagrant, and of late such wickedness has become common.  Therefore, after much thought and prayer, and many searchings to find a means of mercy, she is condemned to death by those whose names are too high to be spoken.  I, alas, am here to see the sentence carried out with a certain mitigation which has been allowed by the mercy of her chief judge.  It seems that your presence is needful to this act of love, therefore I suffer it.  The mother abbess has warned you that evil dogs the feet of those who reveal the secrets of the Church.  For your own sake I pray you to lay that warning to heart.’

’I am no babbler, father, so the caution is not needed.  One word more.  This visit should be well feed, the medicine is costly.’

‘Fear not, physician,’ the monk answered with a note of scorn in his voice; ‘name your sum, it shall be paid to you.’

’I ask no money, father.  Indeed I would pay much to be far away to-night.  I ask only that I may be allowed to speak with this girl before she dies.’

‘What!’ he said, starting, ’surely you are not that wicked man?  If so, you are bold indeed to risk the sharing of her fate.’

’No, father, I am not that man.  I never saw Isabella de Siguenza except once, and I have never spoken to her.  I am not the man who tricked her but I know him; he is named Juan de Garcia.’

‘Ah!’ he said quickly, ’she would never tell his real name, even under threat of torture.  Poor erring soul, she could be faithful in her unfaith.  Of what would you speak to her?’

’I wish to ask her whither this man has gone.  He is my enemy, and I would follow him as I have already followed him far.  He has done worse by me and mine than by this poor girl even.  Grant my request, father, that I may be able to work my vengeance on him, and with mine the Church’s also.’

’"Vengeance is mine,” saith the Lord; “I will repay.”  Yet it may be, son, that the Lord will choose you as the instrument of his wrath.  An opportunity shall be given you to speak with her.  Now put on this dress’—­and he handed me a white Dominican hood and robe—­’and follow me.’

‘First,’ I said, ’let me give this medicine to the abbess, for I will have no hand in its administering.  Take it, mother, and when the time comes, pour the contents of the phial into a cup of water.  Then, having touched the mouth and tongue of the babe with the fluid, give it to the mother to drink and be sure that she does drink it.  Before the bricks are built up about them both will sleep sound, never to wake again.’

‘I will do it,’ murmured the abbess; ’having absolution I will be bold, and do it for love and mercy’s sake!’

‘Your heart is too soft, sister.  Justice is mercy,’ said the monk with a sigh.  ‘Alas for the frailty of the flesh that wars against the spirit!’