LI h RAR.Y 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UN IVLRSITY 
 
 or ILLINOIS 
 
 v.l
 
 
 / 
 
 THE INQUISITOR; 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE STRUGGLE IN FERRARA.
 
 THE INQUISITOR 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE STRUGGLE IN EERRARA. 
 
 Jin |ist0riral l0mantt 
 
 BY 
 
 W. GILBERT, 
 
 authoe op "shibley hatl asylum," "doctor austin's guests,' 
 "db peofundis," etc. 
 
 IN THREE VOLUMES. 
 VOL. I. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 TINSLEY BEOTHERS, 18, CATHERmE STREET, STRAND. 
 1870. 
 
 {_AU rights of Translation and Reproduction are reserved."]
 
 LONDON : 
 SAVILL, BDWARDS AND CO,, PRINTEBS, CHANDOS STREET, 
 COVENT GARDEN.
 
 G31ZS 
 I 770 
 
 V.I 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 THE FIRST VOLUME. 
 
 CHAP, PAGE 
 
 I. THE MONK 1 
 
 II. BERNARDINO OCHINO 37 
 
 III. THE JUDGE 47 
 
 IV. THE DUCHESS 65* 
 
 V. ^^ WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED 
 
 together/' ETC 93 
 
 VI. Teresa's visitor 127 
 
 VII. A dangerous commission .... 145 
 
 VIII. oRiz 162 
 
 IX. AN AUDIENCE 186 
 
 "!!, X. AN ALARM 202 
 
 ^ XI. THE CONFERENCE 233 
 
 ~^i XII. THE TRIAL OF STRENGTH 259
 
 THE INQUISITOR; 
 
 THE STBUGGLE IN FERRARA. 
 
 CHAPTEE I. 
 
 THE MONK. 
 
 N" a calm evening in tlie month of 
 May, 1554, a man in the dress of a 
 Capuchin Friar, having a half-filled 
 wallet slung over his shoulder and a stout 
 staff in his hand, wended his way towards 
 Ferrara. Although he was still several 
 miles from the city, he was evidently ex- 
 hausted, and appeared to continue his 
 journey with much difficulty. He would 
 frequently stop to rest for a few moments, 
 and then apparently summoning up fresh 
 courage, continue his way for some distance, 
 VOL. I. 1
 
 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 and then rest again. Beyond the fact that 
 he was somewhat above the middle height, 
 it would have been difficult to judge of his 
 appearance, for although the weather was 
 sultry and oppressive, he wore his cowl so 
 far forward on his head as almost entirely 
 to conceal his features. This was evidently 
 done purposely, for the sun was already so 
 near the horizon that he had nothing to 
 fear from its rays ; and had he studied his 
 personal comfort, he would naturally have 
 thrown his cowl back on his shoulders. To 
 have formed a tolerably correct opinion of 
 his age would have been as difficult as to 
 have judged of his features. True, he 
 stooped considerably in his walk, and his 
 pace was slow and deliberate, but these 
 might rather have been occasioned by ex- 
 haustion and fatigue than by the weight of 
 years ; and this supposition was still farther 
 increased by the accumulation of dust on 
 his sandalled feet and on the edge of his 
 frock.
 
 TEE MONK. 
 
 As he journeyed onwards a singular 
 peculiarity was observable in the Friar. As 
 a rule, his order was habitually most com- 
 municative, entering willingly into conversa- 
 tion with all who addressed them ; and as 
 they were generally looked upon as the 
 newsmongers of the country districts, few 
 passed them without exchanging at least 
 some sentences. With our Friar, on the 
 contrary, this was far from being the case ; 
 and he appeared to avoid, as much as 
 possible, the peasants he met, taking care to 
 pass them on the opposite side of the road, 
 and returning with courteous, though few 
 words, the remarks they made when they 
 had reached him. 
 
 Night began to set in, and stars, one by 
 one, to shine forth in the heavens, while 
 myriads of fireflies illuminated the fields 
 by the side of the road, flashing their lovely 
 light with such brilliancy as almost to 
 dazzle the eye. The calm beauty of the 
 Italian sunset, however, appeared to have 
 
 l—z
 
 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 no charms for the wayfarer, and he con- 
 tinued on his road till he had nearly 
 reached Mal-Albergo, situated on the banks 
 of the river, nearly opposite to the principal 
 gates of Ferrara, when the sound of the 
 church bells calling the congregations to- 
 gether for the benediction, warned him that 
 he had nearly arrived at his journey's end. 
 But instead of hurrying on to secure a 
 place in the last ferry-boat, he suddenly 
 stopped short, and seating himself on the 
 bank by the road-side, appeared to meditate 
 deeply, as if undetermined what course to 
 pursue, evidently wishing to reach the ter- 
 mination of his journey, yet for some strong 
 cause hesitating to enter the city. 
 
 He remained for some time seated, alter- 
 nately glancing at the lights which began 
 to appear in the city as night advanced, 
 and then on the road and country around 
 him, as if anxious to meet with some per- 
 son to whom he could apply for information. 
 No one, however, appeared; and he rose
 
 THE MONK. 
 
 from his seat, and turning his cowl back on 
 his shoulders, proceeded onwards for a few 
 paces, when he again suddenly stopped, and 
 retraced for some distance his steps, looking 
 eagerly on each side of the road, as if try- 
 ing to distinguish whether there might be 
 any habitation near. At last he saw a 
 light in a meadow at a little distance from 
 the road. He was on the point of proceed- 
 ing to it, when he suddenly halted, as if to 
 determine what the light might be, for it 
 appeared to be too close on the ground and 
 too bright to be in any dwelling. The idea 
 then struck him that it might merely be a 
 wdll-o'-the-wisp hanging over the marshes, 
 as was common at that season in the dis- 
 tricts around Ferrara; but a moment's 
 thought told him that this could not be so, 
 as the colour was too red. 
 
 He now hesitated no longer. Leaping 
 from the bank, he approached the light, 
 though with some difficulty, his steps being 
 impeded by the brushwood, and his feet
 
 THE INQUISITOR: 
 
 clogged by the swampy nature of the soil. 
 Still he pushed onward, and at last came 
 close to the light, which he found to pro- 
 ceed from four torches tied together, their 
 shafts stuck into the ground. At first he 
 was greatly puzzled how to act, as he saw 
 no one near, nor could he divine for what 
 purpose the torches had been placed there ; 
 but at length he perceived a man some ten 
 or twelve yards from the light, seated on a 
 stone, his elbows on his knees^ and his face 
 buried in his hands. 
 
 The Friar again drew his cowl over his 
 head, and, without hesitation, walked up to 
 the man, and said softly to him — 
 
 " My son, are you asleep ?" 
 
 " I am not ; but had I been, I should 
 hardly have thanked you for waking me," 
 was the uncourteous reply of the man, who 
 still remained in the same position, with 
 his face buried in his hands. 
 
 "I am sorry to disturb you," said the 
 Friar, " but you would greatly oblige me by
 
 THE MONK. 
 
 telling me if there is a ferryman anywhere 
 near who could row me over to the city." 
 
 "The only ferryman near here," replied the 
 man, without raising his head, " is the one 
 at Mai-Albergo ; but I suspect you will be 
 too late for him, as he must have left off 
 work half an hour since." 
 
 " But I did not wish to enter the city by 
 the Strada del Po, and I had a dim recollec- 
 tion that there was another ferry farther up 
 the river." 
 
 " You are a stranger, then ?" said the 
 man, still maintaining the same position. 
 
 "Not altogether," said the Capuchin. 
 " I have visited Ferrara more than once 
 already ; but the last occasion was several 
 years ago." 
 
 " It must be a strong temptation that in- 
 duces you to return to it again," said the 
 man, sardonically. "It is the last place in 
 the world I should wish to visit, if I could 
 once get clear out of it." 
 
 " Still that is hardly an answer to my
 
 THE INQUISITOB. 
 
 inquiry. I asked you if I could find a 
 ferry-boat farther up the river ; and if you 
 are able to answer the question, you would 
 greatly oblige me by doing so." 
 
 " There is another ferry-boat about half 
 a mile farther on," said the man ; '' but you 
 will find some difficulty in reaching it 
 through the swamps ; and then, again, you 
 will not get Griacomo, the ferryman, to leave 
 his bed at this time of night without being 
 well paid for it. I know him too well for 
 that." 
 
 " That is unfortunate for one of my 
 order," said the Friar ; " for we rarely carry 
 money with us, and I have none." 
 
 The man here raised his head for a 
 moment and gazed at the Friar with much 
 curiosity and evident interest. Then rising 
 from his seat, and taking off his cap, he 
 said, in a tone of respect which strongly 
 contrasted with the abrupt manner in 
 which he had hitherto replied to the Friar's 
 inquiries —
 
 THE MONK. 
 
 " Ah ! pardon me, Keverend Father, I 
 did not know to whom I was speaking, or 
 I should not have been so uncivil. What 
 can I do to serve you?" 
 
 " Thanks, my son," said the Friar ; " all 
 I wish is to enter the city by the Porta San 
 Griorgio, Can you assist me in doing so, by 
 telling me in what manner I can cross the 
 river, for I tell you candidly I have no 
 money to pay the ferryman ?" 
 
 ** And I am sure Giacomo, who is little 
 better than a pig of a heretic and an imp of 
 Calvin himself, would rather go without his 
 money than row you over, monk as you are, 
 even if you could pay him. But he will 
 soon have his reward; the times are now 
 fast changing : the heretics have had their 
 day, and now ours is coming." 
 
 The Friar, from under his cowl, examined 
 his companion minutely, lit up as he was 
 by the burning torches. He was an old 
 man, about seventy years of age, with low 
 forehead, deep sunk, sparkling black eyes,
 
 10 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 indicative of great cunning, and sickly, 
 swarthy, sallow complexion. His dress, 
 which was that of the poorer class, was 
 covered with mud, with which his feet and 
 hands were also begrimed. Altogether he 
 was of most repulsive appearance. His de- 
 meanour to the Friar was now, however, 
 most respectful, and even courteous. 
 
 "You seem to take the behaviour of your 
 friend Giacomo much to heart,'' said the 
 Friar ; " but can you tell me of any other 
 way by which I could cross the river ?" 
 
 " Wait one moment, Eeverend Father," 
 said the man ; and then advancing towards 
 the torches, and examining a sort of leather 
 trap, something like a long wide-mouthed 
 bag, which had been placed on the ground 
 before the light, but in which he found 
 nothing, he said, with an expression of 
 anger on his countenance — 
 
 " It's all useless, all in vain ; nothing 
 seems to prosper. I believe the anger of 
 heaven is directed against the city and all
 
 THE MONK. 11 
 
 the country around it. It's no use my re- 
 maining longer here ; and it's better for me 
 to be in my bed, than run the risk of 
 catching the plague in these marshes." 
 
 Then, taking up the leather-bag, and 
 throwing it over his shoulder, he snatched 
 up the torches, and throwing them on the 
 ground, extinguished the flame, leaving 
 himself and the Eriar with no more light 
 than was afforded by the fireflies sparkling 
 around them. 
 
 "Eeverend Father," he then continued, 
 " I will row you across the river myself, for 
 I have a boat fastened to the shore, a few 
 hundred yards from here ; and then, as you 
 say you are almost a stranger, I will accom- 
 pany you to the gate of San Griorgio, and 
 put you in your way to the Capuchin con- 
 vent, where, I suppose, you will lodge for 
 the night. It will be better for me to ac- 
 company you than Giacomo, even if you 
 could get him to leave his bed." 
 
 "Why so?"
 
 12 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 " Because, as I told you before, Giacomo 
 is a heretic, and every one he ferries over is 
 examined at the gates, and a hundred ques- 
 tions asked, such as, with whom they are 
 acquainted in the city ? what their business 
 is there ? how long they intend stopping ? 
 and many other inquiries of the same sort. 
 Now, with me it is different. I am known 
 as a good Catholic, who would no more 
 bring a heretic into the city than the plague 
 itself." 
 
 The Friar made no reply to the man's 
 observation, but thanked him warmly for 
 his offer of assistance, and the two started 
 off towards the river. 
 
 " You observed, my son," said the Friar, 
 " that you might as well be in bed as run 
 the risk of catching the plague in these 
 marshes ? Do I understand you to mean 
 that the plague is again in Ferrara?" 
 
 "Well, I cannot state for a certainty that 
 it is," said the man ; " but several cases 
 very like it have already been sent to the
 
 THE MONK 13 
 
 Lazaretto. But that it will come, there can 
 be little doubt ; and terrible indeed will it 
 be when it does come." 
 , " What makes you think so, my son ?" 
 
 " Because heaven, in its anger at the 
 favour shown to heretics, has already with- 
 drawn from us all means of curing the 
 plague ; and when it comes we shall have 
 to submit to it without help." 
 
 " Don't you take too gloomy a view of 
 the case ?" said the Friar. 
 
 "Certainly not," replied the man. "Who 
 knows better than I do ? Have I not been 
 there where you found me night after night, 
 burning my torches, which cost me three 
 soldi a piece, without any return, leaving 
 me a loss both of time and money ?" 
 
 "But I don't understand in what way 
 that proves that it would be useless to 
 adopt any remedies against the plague. 
 What were you seeking for ?" 
 
 " Seeking for !" replied the man some- 
 what angrily. " Why, for the only secure
 
 14 THE imUISITOB. 
 
 remedy but one against the plague — vipers, 
 to be sure ! Here I have been night after 
 night trying to catch them, and, as I said 
 before, burning my torches to no purpose, 
 and have not caught three in a week. In 
 the days of the last Duke, I have frequently 
 known ten to be caught in a night, and 
 once my son-in-law caught as many as 
 nineteen. Then, again, no more scorpions 
 are to be found in Bologna, and without 
 scorpions and vipers how will it be possible 
 to cure the plague-stricken? I speak 
 from experience. When the plague was in 
 Ferrara, about the time of the marriage of 
 the Duchess Eenee — evil befall her! — we 
 had abundance of vipers, and many were 
 cured of the plague ; but now we shall 
 be utterly at its mercy, and bound hand 
 and foot when it comes." 
 
 " But why do you say, ' Evil befall the 
 Duchess Eenee,' my son ?" asked the Friar. 
 " What has she done to offend you ?" 
 
 " Offend me !" replied the man. " Has
 
 TEE MONK. 15 
 
 she not offended the whole country, and 
 heaven itself, b}^ introducing into Ferrara 
 the swarm of heretics who came in her 
 train? And has Ferrara ever flourished 
 since ? 'No ! I know it better than any 
 one, for everything has gone wrong with 
 me since I first saw her face. I had then a 
 good appointment, which I had held for 
 years, giving perfect satisfaction to every 
 one, but before she had been here three 
 years I lost it." 
 
 " But was the loss of your appointment 
 caused by any fault of the Duchess 
 Eenee ?" 
 
 " Certainly it was. For twenty years I 
 had turned the hands of the clock in the 
 Eigobello tower, but some heretic French 
 or Swiss, who came with her, proposed that 
 the hands of the clock should be moved by 
 wheels, weights, and ropes, and the old 
 Duke Alfonso, her father-in-law, who was 
 always too fond of new ideas, agreed to it. 
 Two years afterwards all was completed,
 
 16 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 and after twenty years' service I was dis- 
 charged." 
 
 " But, after all, it appears to me that, if 
 you have any complaint, it should be 
 against the old Duke Alfonso and not the 
 Duchess Eenee, as she seems to have had 
 nothing to do with the alteration." 
 
 "Nothing to do with it!" said the old 
 man, testily. " If she had not come here at 
 all, the man who proposed the alteration 
 would not have been in her train, and a 
 good Catholic — sinner as I am — would not 
 have been thrown out of bread by a foreign 
 heretic." 
 
 '' But surely you do not mean to say 
 that, after so many years' service, you were 
 dismissed without compensation? That 
 seems hardly to correspond with the cha- 
 racter T have heard of Duke Alfonso, who 
 appears to have behaved liberally and 
 honourably to all." 
 
 " I don't wish to say anything against 
 the old Duke, who was in every respect an
 
 THE MONK. 17 
 
 excellent Prince, and very kind to every 
 one, as long as they didn't offend liim ; but 
 if they did, they might as well have asked 
 mercy of a hungry lion as of him. How- 
 ever, it's true, when they sent me away, 
 they gave me ten scudi and an appointment 
 in the Lazaretto ; but although the pay- 
 ment was equally good I didn't like the 
 occupation. There was nothing regular 
 about it. It's a very difficult thing for a 
 man who has been accustomed for twenty 
 years to do nothing else than turn the 
 hands of a clock to get out of the regular 
 habits and notions he has acquired." 
 
 '' Still, I do not see how that could have 
 interfered with your duties in the Lazaretto. 
 Did they not keep regular hours there ?" 
 
 " Nothing could be more irregular. The 
 sick would come in at all hours, and some- 
 times two or three together ; then perhaps 
 we should have none for a day, and after- 
 wards a rush of half-a-dozen at a time. 
 Then some took their medicine at one hour 
 
 VOL, I. 2
 
 18 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 and some at another ; till at last T told Dr. 
 Castagna that I must leave the establish- 
 ment, or I should certainly go out of my 
 mind. He replied that he had great 
 pleasure in granting my request, and that I 
 might go as soon as I pleased." 
 
 " And what did you do afterwards ?" 
 
 " Well, I applied for the situation of bell- 
 ringer at the cathedral, and obtained it, but 
 I soon gave it up." 
 
 "Why was that?" said the Friar. "I 
 should have thought the regularity of the 
 hours of the service would have been agree- 
 able to you." 
 
 " So I expected, but it was far from 
 being the case." 
 
 "Why so?" 
 
 " Well, the hours of service were all 
 regular enough, and for a day or two all 
 went on swimmingly, but then I began to 
 have conscientious scruples whether I could 
 continue it with safety to my soul, so I gave 
 up the appointment."
 
 THE MONK. 19 
 
 "But what possible scruples of conscience 
 could you have had in such an appoint- 
 ment ? I should have thought it difficult 
 to have found a situation more suited to 
 your taste and capacity." 
 
 "It would have suited me perfectly 
 well had it not been for one circumstance. 
 The Archbishop had ordered that the 
 services were to be regulated by the 
 new-fashioned clock in the Eigobello tower. 
 Now, as the machinery moving the 
 clock had been made by a foreign heretic, 
 it went against my conscience tliat the 
 services in the Cathedral should be regulated 
 by it." 
 
 " I think, my son, you were a little too 
 scrupulous on the occasion," replied the 
 Friar ; " but at the same time are you quite 
 sure personal feeling had not something to 
 do with the matter ? I mean, your labours 
 being regulated in some degree by the 
 clock of which you no longer had the 
 control." 
 
 2—2
 
 20 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 " Possibly that might have had something 
 to do with it, Reverend Father." 
 
 " And what occupation did you afterwards 
 take up ?" 
 
 " I went back to the Lazaretto, and again 
 induced them to give me some employment ; 
 but I got tired of the irregularity of the 
 hours, and left a second time. Then I 
 offered myself as an assistant to Bruno, the 
 executioner ; but he said I was too old and 
 weak for his work." 
 
 *' You surely do not mean to say you 
 would have accepted a situation under the 
 common executioner?" said the Friar, with 
 marked disgust in his tone. " At your time 
 of life, you might have sought for some 
 other employment, no matter how humble." 
 
 " Don't think ill of me. Reverend Father,^' 
 said the old man. " Bruno is not the 
 common executioner. He only applies the 
 torture and punishments to the prisoners 
 in the dungeons of the Inquisition, and 
 executes those who are condemned to death
 
 TEE MONK. 21 
 
 for heresy. I would never have helped the 
 town hangman at the execution of a thief 
 or a murderer. No ; I'm not so low as 
 that." 
 
 " Is your friend Bruno much occupied at 
 present?" inquired the Friar after a moment's 
 silence. 
 
 " Every day in one way or another, but 
 principally in the prisons of the Inquisition. 
 We have not had many public executions 
 for heresy lately ; not more than four in the 
 last fortnight. The Duke is away, and the 
 Duchess has more of her own will than she 
 would have if he were here. After all, she 
 would be a brave woman were she not a 
 heretic. Why, they say that Father Pelle- 
 tario, the Duke's confessor, is positively 
 more afraid of her than all the heretics in 
 Geneva put together. But we are now at 
 the river-side, and here is my boat. Get 
 into it, and I will ferry you across." 
 
 Little conversation passed between the 
 Friar and his companion during their
 
 22 THE INQUISITOR, 
 
 passage across the river. Arrived at the 
 other side, the old man fastened his boat to 
 a post by the side of the water, and he and 
 the Friar proceeded to the gate of San 
 Giorgio. 
 
 " Can yon tell me," said the Friar to his 
 companion, "whether the Dnchess is at 
 present in Ferrara ?" 
 
 " She is," replied the man. " She is 
 living at the palace of San Francesco, where 
 she has a court of her own. They say the 
 Duke and she are not friends. I hope it's 
 the case, though of course I know nothing 
 as to the truth of the statement. This, 
 however, is certain, that when he is in Ferrara 
 (he is now at his hunting seat at Belriguardo, 
 they say) he lives in the Este palace while 
 she is at the Palace of San Francesco." 
 
 " But why should you be glad of a mis- 
 understanding existing between the Duke 
 and his wife ?" 
 
 " Because I hate her, and the whole 
 foreign troop with her."
 
 TEE MONK. 23 
 
 "Did she ever do you any personal 
 harm ?" 
 
 " No, nor to anyone else that I know of ; 
 bnt she has tried to do a great deal of harm 
 to their souls." 
 
 '' In what way?" asked the Friar. 
 
 " By pretending to do a great deal of 
 good to the poor and needy, helping them 
 in every way that she can. Trying first of 
 all to gain their love, for the purpose of 
 handing them over to the enemy of man- 
 kind, whose agent I believe her to be." 
 
 " My son," said the Triar, " let me advise 
 you to speak a little more cautiously. 
 Eemember that walls have ears, and the 
 Duchess is still a powerful princess." 
 
 "Her time is coming though, and will 
 soon be here," said the old man. " But I'm 
 astonished, Eeverend Father, to hear you 
 talk in her praise." 
 
 " I merely speak in your interest, my 
 son," said the Friar mildly. " Even if there 
 should be a disagreement between the Duke
 
 24 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 and his wife, depend upon it lie would 
 punish you for speaking disrespectfully of 
 the Duchess. With me of course it will go 
 no farther, but let me advise you not to 
 speak in that way before others." 
 
 "You're right, Eeverend Father," said 
 the old man after a moment^s reflection. 
 " Thank you for the hint." 
 
 " I understand, then," said the Friar 
 after a short silence, " that you live in 
 Ferrara ?" 
 
 " I do," replied the old man, " and have 
 lived in it since I was a child ; and with 
 the exception of the time when I was pres- 
 sed as a soldier and made to join the army 
 under the late Duke Alfonso, I have never 
 been ten miles from it in my life. To say 
 the truth, my experience on that occasion 
 gave me little wish to roam. Night after 
 night did I sleep on the damp field, or stand 
 sentry on the river's bank to watch for the 
 approach of the Venetians. Hardships 
 enough I then endured. I had little to eat,
 
 THE MONK. 25 
 
 no praise, and small pay. If I did my duty 
 I was ordered to do more ; if I attempted to 
 avoid it, my captain flogged me. To end 
 the matter, 1 was wounded in the last fight 
 and almost lost my life, and from that time 
 to this I have never had any inclination to 
 leave the city for more than a mile or two 
 at a time.^' 
 
 " Of course you are well acquainted, then, 
 with Ferrara?" 
 
 *' No man better. I think I know every 
 house in it, and every man, woman and 
 child, that is to say, by sight, of course, for 
 I haven't mucli to say to those above me." 
 
 " Perhaps you can tell me, then, if the 
 Count Biagio Eosetti, — I mean the chief of 
 the twelve Judges, — is in Ferrara at pre- 
 sent ?" 
 
 " He is, Eeverend Father ; I saw him in 
 court this morning when I went to hear the 
 trial of a friend of mine who had been 
 accused of robbing a Jew. It was an un- 
 fortunate thing for him that the Judge
 
 26 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 Eosetti presided in tlie court, otherwise Pm 
 sure mj friend would have escaped." 
 
 "How so?" 
 
 " Because, being a Lutheran himself, the 
 judge naturally favours all schismatics, in- 
 fidels, and idolators, and instead of dismiss- 
 ing the case he sentenced poor Beppo to be 
 soundly flogged, as if to steal from a Jew 
 was as bad as to rob a Christian." 
 
 They had now arrived at the gate of San 
 Giorgio, when, to the Friar s dismay, he 
 found it closed. 
 
 " Do not annoy yourself," said the old 
 man, " I know the porter. He is a good 
 Catholic, and will let one wearing your 
 frock into the city without difficulty. I 
 will speak to him and all will go well." 
 
 The man now proceeded to the wicket 
 gate, and knocking at it requested that it 
 might be opened, saying, that he had with 
 him a Eeverend Friar who was going to the 
 convent of San Maurelio, but had been de- 
 layed on his road. The porter without
 
 THE MONK. 27 
 
 hesitation opened the gate, and the Friar 
 and the old man entered. 
 
 " And now, Eeverend Father, I am near 
 my lodging. Continue your road straight 
 onward, and you will find your convent in 
 the first street to the left." 
 
 The Friar thanked the man for his 
 courtesy, but instead of entering the street 
 as directed, he turned round to see whether 
 he was followed, and finding, after waiting a 
 few moments, that no one approached him, he 
 passed the street leading to the convent, and 
 continued his road till he reached the Via 
 dell a Piopponi. For some time after having 
 entered the street he examined carefully the 
 houses on each side, as if in search of one, 
 but uncertain which it might be. Even 
 after he had twice passed the whole length 
 of the street he appeared undecided, and re- 
 mained for several minutes in the centre of 
 the road, waiting for some one to approach 
 who might be able to give him the informa- 
 tion he required. Presently he saw by the
 
 28 THE INQUISITOB. 
 
 light of the moon, which had now risen, a 
 young man leave the archway of one of the 
 best houses in the street ; and to him he 
 determined to apply for information. Eapidly 
 hurrying after him, he said, 
 
 " Pardon me, my son, for interrupting 
 you, but could you tell me the house of the 
 Count Biagio Eosetti, the chief of the twelve 
 judges ?" 
 
 " It is but a few steps farther back," re- 
 plied the young man. "It is the one I 
 just left. Shall I conduct you to it?" 
 
 '' There is no occasion, my son. I noticed 
 the house when you left it. It is that with 
 a light in the window of the room over the 
 archway." 
 
 '• It is," said the youth. " But you had 
 better let me conduct you ; the staircase is 
 dark and dangerous, and I am sure the 
 Judge would be very angry with me, if, 
 after I knew you wished to visit him, I 
 allowed you to run any danger by letting 
 you. find your way alone."
 
 THE MONK. 29 
 
 " Do you know the judge intimately, 
 then?" inquired the Friar. 
 
 " Without vanity I may say I do," was 
 the young man's reply. " He was my profes- 
 sor when I commenced my legal studies in 
 Ferrara, and I have been intimate with him 
 for more than three years." 
 
 " Are you an Italian ?" asked the Friar. 
 
 "Why do you ask, Eeverend Father?" 
 said the young man, with some reserve. 
 " You must either be unacquainted with 
 Ferrara, or you must know that we are not 
 accustomed here to answer questions that 
 every stranger may put to us, without fully 
 understanding his object." 
 
 *' I should have thought, my son, that 
 my habit alone would have been sufficient 
 guarantee that I intended no harm." 
 
 " Hardly, Eeverend Father," said the 
 young man. " You know our saying, ' The 
 cowl does not make the monk ;' and if the 
 proverb is true anywhere, it is certainly so 
 in Ferrara."
 
 30 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 " I meant no offence, my son," said the 
 Eriar. " My only reason for asking the 
 question was, that you, while speaking 
 Italian perfectly, appear to have a slight 
 foreign accent." 
 
 " Possibly you expect I may be a French- 
 man, or from Geneva/' answered the youth, 
 " and as such, probably of the same religion 
 as the Duchess ?" 
 
 " Once more, my son, I intended no 
 offence. Why should you speak to me in the 
 manner you do ? You have kindly pointed 
 out to me the house I was searching for, 
 and I need trouble you no further." 
 
 "True, Eeverend Father. Still, I am a 
 free agent in the matter, and would prefer 
 returning with you. If you are really a 
 Friar, as your dress appears to indicate, so 
 warm a professor of the reformed doctrines 
 as the Judge might like to have a witness 
 on his side of the conversation which pusses 
 between you. If he finds my presence un- 
 necessary or inconvenient, of course I shall
 
 THE MONK. 31 
 
 leave immediately. But of this I am deter- 
 mined, if you persist in your visit, I shall 
 return with you/' 
 
 The Friar hesitated for some minutes, 
 as if in doubt what steps to take. At last 
 he said to the youth, " Are you also a fol- 
 lower of Calvin or Luther ?" 
 
 " Again, Eeverend Father, I must remind 
 you it is not our habit in Ferrara to make a 
 confident of the first comer, however 
 respectable his appearance may be. You 
 must see yourself, that were I a protestant 
 and therefore in danger of persecution for 
 my religious opinions, a Capuchin Friar is 
 hardly the person I should choose to confide 
 my secret to. Once more, will you allow 
 me to be your guide to the Judge's rooms ? 
 And let me add, that if you intend to visit 
 him to night you must decide quickly, or 
 he will have retired to bed." 
 
 " I thank you for your offer, my son, and 
 will follow you," said the Friar. 
 
 The youth now returned to the house he
 
 32 THE INQTJISITOB, 
 
 had quitted, and on reaching the gate- 
 way he took the Friar^s hand, to lead him 
 up the dark staircase, which with conside- 
 rable difficulty they contrived to ascend, 
 proving the truth of the youth's statement, 
 that the Friar would find a guide necessary. 
 On arriving at the first floor the young 
 man knocked at the door, and in a few 
 moments footsteps were heard approaching it. 
 
 " Who is there ?" inquired a voice from 
 the inside. 
 
 " Grood friends,'' was the reply. '' It is I, 
 Camille Grurdon. On leaving your house I 
 was overtaken by a Capuchin Friar, who 
 was seeking you, but did not know your 
 abode, and I have brought him with me." 
 
 " Before I open the door I must know 
 his errand, and who he is." 
 
 " I will explain who I am to your full 
 satisfaction, my son," said the Friar, "if 
 you will allow me to enter. What have 
 you to fear from me? I am an old man, 
 older than yourself, and besides that you
 
 TEE MONK. 33 
 
 have the support of the youth who has so 
 kindly accompanied me to your house. For 
 mercy's sake do not hesitate, but allow me 
 to enter, for I am sick at heart, and my 
 strength is utterly exhausted." 
 
 " But, Eeverend Father," said the voice 
 behind the door, " if you are a Capuchin 
 Friar, what business can you have with me ? 
 Why should you ask hospitality of me 
 when you have your own convent, one of the 
 richest in Ferrara, to receive you ? Do you 
 know me ?" 
 
 '•'Perfectly well," said the Friar, ''al- 
 though it is now some years since I saw 
 you. 
 
 "Tell me your name." 
 
 " I cannot, before a stranger. But why do 
 you hesitate to allow me to enter ? As I 
 said before, I am old and powerless, and 
 you have nothing to fear. This I promise 
 you, if you will allow me a moment's inter- 
 view, and you then desire me to leave your 
 house, I will do so immediately, even 
 
 VOL. I. 3
 
 34 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 though I should die of exhaustion before 
 your door." 
 
 After a few moments' silence on both 
 sides, the door was opened by a venerable 
 looking old man, in a velvet robe, with a 
 black skull-cap on his head, and holding a 
 lighted lamp in his hand. Surveying the 
 Friar with great curiosity not unmingled 
 with impatience, he said to him — 
 
 "Keverend Father, if you will neither 
 tell me who you are, nor allow me to see 
 your face, I must request you will imme- 
 diately leave my house. I am but a bad 
 guesser of riddles, and have no taste for 
 mummery. Once more, let me know who 
 you are, or begone." 
 
 The Friar advanced a few steps, and 
 when in such a position that his youthful 
 companion could not see his action, he 
 raised his cowl sufiiciently to allow the 
 Judge to see his features, and then instantly 
 replaced it. A marked change now came 
 over the behaviour of the Judge to his
 
 THE MONK. 35 
 
 visitor, and with much friendliness in his 
 tone, he asked him to enter, and preceded 
 him to the sitting-room, while the youth 
 remained without to re-fasten the door. 
 As soon as they had entered the room the 
 Friar whispered to the Judge — 
 
 " Can you not dispense with the presence 
 of that young man, as I wish to speak with 
 you alone?" 
 
 " Just as you please," replied the Judge ; 
 " but you have nothing to fear from him. 
 A stauncher adherent to our cause, Ferrara 
 does not hold." 
 
 "If you know him," said the Friar, "1 
 make no further objection. At the same 
 time, I would rather speak with you alone. 
 Were it only my own secret I had to keep, 
 I should not mind his remaining, but I am 
 intrusted with those of others as well." 
 
 " I will immediately dismiss him then," 
 said the Judge. Then addressing the young 
 man, who was now entering the room, he 
 continued: "Camille, my son, you can 
 
 3—2
 
 36 THE INQUISITOB. 
 
 leave us, as my friend wishes for some 
 private conversation with me. We shall 
 meet again to-morrow." 
 
 The young man bowed submissively to 
 the Judge^s remark, and after wishing him 
 good evening, unbolted the door and quitted 
 the house, leaving the Judge and the Capu- 
 chin Friar to continue their conversation 
 undisturbed.
 
 BEENABBINO OCHINO. 37 
 
 CHAPTER 11. 
 
 BERNAKDINO OCHINO. 
 
 E must here, for a few pages, stay 
 tlie current of our narrative, to 
 introduce more particularly to tlie 
 reader the mysterious monk — Bernardino 
 Ochino. Of the many champions of Protes- 
 tantism in Italy, few among them had 
 laboured more zealously, or had done better 
 service in the cause of truth, than he. 
 Nature seemed to have especially endowed 
 him both mentally and physically for the 
 fatigues and dangers he had undertaken. 
 In person he was somewhat above the 
 middle height, strongly though not heavily 
 formed, and altogether having a frame 
 capable of enduring a vast amount of
 
 38 TEE INQUISITOR. 
 
 fatigue. His face was eminently handsome, 
 even at the time of our narrative, when he 
 was considerably more than sixty years of 
 age. In fact, when he was younger it 
 would have been difficult to have found an 
 individual possessing a more expressive 
 countenance. Nor was the classical shape 
 of his features the sole recommendation of 
 his face — it beamed with intelligence and 
 candour. Perhaps the most singular charac- 
 teristic in his countenance was the extra- 
 ordinary combination it displayed of mild- 
 ness and determination. Nor was the 
 expression an untruthful one ; for while 
 gentle to all, and anxious to avoid giving 
 the slightest offence to any, yet no danger 
 was sufficiently terrible to make him quit 
 a labour he had once considered it a duty 
 to his Maker to undertake. 
 
 Bernardino Ochino was born in the year 
 1487, at Sienna, in Tuscany, of obscure 
 parents, and when young had been educated 
 for the law ; but being of a pious turn of
 
 BEBNABDINO OCHINO. 39 
 
 mind, he determined to relinquish the legal 
 profession and enter the Church. It is not 
 known at what ecclesiastical seminary he 
 prosecuted his studies, but after his ordina- 
 tion he appears to have joined the Franciscan 
 Observantines, who were considered the 
 strictest of all the orders of the regular clergy. 
 In this order he continued for many years, 
 gaining great popularity as a preacher. 
 But rigid as the rules of the Observantines 
 were, they were not sufficiently so for Ber- 
 nardino, and he quitted them to enter as a 
 simple friar the order of the Capuchins. 
 Shortly after he had joined this new brother- 
 hood, and long before he liad fully adopted 
 the Eeformed principles, he began to turn his 
 attention to the abuses which then existed 
 in the Church, and he attacked with great 
 severity the luxury and effeminacy of the 
 priesthood. Had he commenced this attack 
 some thirty years before, it is more than 
 probable he would have been quickly 
 silenced ; but so weakened had the Church
 
 -10 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 of Eome become by its own corruptions, 
 that its lieads readily perceived tbat if some 
 reformation did not take place in the habits 
 and manners of the clergy, it would be im- 
 possible to check the advance of the Ee- 
 formed doctrines ; and Bernardino, instead 
 of being silenced and discouraged, was not 
 only protected by the College of Cardinals, 
 but though still a simple friar was raised to 
 the dignity of Confessor to the Pope himself. 
 No monk perhaps ever had greater power in 
 his hands, or exercised it with more modesty 
 than Ochino. Riches and honour both 
 appeared utterly indifferent to him, and he 
 continued to advance in the goodwill of 
 every one.* 
 
 By his own order, especially, Bernardino 
 was greatly admired and beloved. Long 
 after he had (in their estimation) degraded 
 them by adopting heretical opinions, the 
 annalist of their order speaking of him says, 
 
 * See Note, page 45.
 
 BEFvNABDINO OCHINO. 41 
 
 " In such estimation was he held, that he 
 was esteemed incomparably the best preacher 
 in Italy, and his powers of oratory and 
 graceful action all powerfully enlisted the 
 sympathy of his audience, and this the 
 more so as the admirable tenor of his private 
 life corresponded so perfectly with his doc- 
 trines." Although a favoured guest in the 
 palaces of princes and nobles, he never rode 
 on horseback or in a carriage, but performed 
 all his journeys on foot. Nor did he relin- 
 quish this habit even when far advanced in 
 years. In the pulpit, he was admired by 
 all; in fact, in such estimation were his 
 sermons held that, when he preached in the 
 immense Cathedrals of Ferrara and Modena, 
 even standing-room could not be found for 
 all those who wished to hear him. The 
 Emperor Charles V., who when in Italy was 
 a constant attendant at his sermons, said of 
 him, " How great is the power of that man ! 
 he would make the very stones weep if they 
 could hear him." Sadolet and Bembo, who
 
 42 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 were far better judges of oratory than his 
 Majesty, admitted Ochino to be the most 
 eloquent preacher of his day. In the year 
 153S, Ochino was chosen General of the 
 Order of the Capuchins, and, as a proof of 
 the extraordinary respect he was held in, 
 he was again, in another chapter, held at 
 Whitsuntide, 1541, and in direct opposition 
 to his own wishes, re-elected General of the 
 Order, a mark of respect which had never 
 yet been shown to one of its brotherhood. 
 
 So great was the fame which Bernardino 
 Ochino had acquired as a preacher, that he 
 was specially sent on a mission to those 
 centres of Italian heresy, Ferrara and 
 Modena, to counteract the march of Pro- 
 testantism, which had already gained an 
 immense number of converts. Although 
 Ochino entered into his work with great 
 energy and zeal, the natural honesty of his 
 disposition would not allow him to shut his 
 eyes to the abuses existing among the 
 clergy of those two cities ; and while
 
 BEBNABBINO OGHINO. 43 
 
 preaching eloquently the doctrines of the 
 Church of Eorae, he took occasion at the 
 same time to lash most severely the corrup- 
 tions which had been introduced among its 
 clergy. But Ochino, in his attacks upon 
 Protestantism, being actuated rather by 
 an erroneous conception of the truth than 
 any personal animosity to the Protestant 
 professors, attempted by argument to con- 
 vince them of their danger. In this, however, 
 he signally failed. He entered into discus- 
 sions and arguments with Peter Martyr, of 
 Yermigli, and into correspondence with 
 Calvin, on what he considered their here- 
 tical doctrines. Tradition even says, that 
 on more than one occasion he met the great 
 leader of the Protestant faith in Italy, in 
 the apartments of the Duchess Eenee, 
 where the arguments were carried on with 
 great animation but perfect courtesy on 
 both sides. 
 
 The results of these discussions were such 
 as greatly to diminish the faith of Ochino in
 
 44 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 tlie doctrines of the Church of Eome. 
 Being convinced of his errors in many points, 
 he acknowledged them, hoth in private and 
 in the pulpit, to the great dissatisftiction of 
 the Archbishop and clergy, who strongly 
 remonstrated with him on his conduct. 
 Ochino, however, was not a man, when once 
 convinced, to allow any power to bias him, 
 and he continued his preaching, which day by 
 day began to assume more of a Protestant 
 tendency, till at last, to the great dismay 
 of the Catholic clergy, he openly declared 
 himself a Eeformer. Now united with 
 Peter Martyr, he occupied himself with 
 establishing Protestant churches in Lucca, 
 and other towns of Italy, the hatred of the 
 Catholic priesthood increasing in proportion 
 as his success was the greater, till at last, 
 having undergone great persecutions, 
 Ochino was banished from Italy. Being 
 invited to visit England, he received a most 
 hospitable reception from the Protector 
 Somerset. After the accession of Mary to
 
 BEBNABDINO OGHINO. 45 
 
 the throne, and the commencement of per- 
 secutions against the Protestants, he was 
 obliged to quit England. He then wan- 
 dered through Belgium, up the Ehine to 
 B^sle, where he remained for some time, 
 occupied with the affairs of the Church, 
 and preaching to the different congregations 
 of Italian emigrants who had been obliged 
 to leave their country, where persecutions 
 were being carried on with such terrible 
 severity. 
 
 Note. Page 40. — It must be admitted that Ochiao, 
 in his attempts to reform the manner of life of the 
 clergy of Modena and Ferrara, and in the vigorous at- 
 tacks he made on their depravity and luxurious mode of 
 life, was well supported by the Court of Rome. On 
 the 26th November, 1524, some years before the 
 date of our narrative, Pope Clement VII., after 
 effecting many reforms among the clergy of Rome, 
 despatched a brief to the clergy of Modena and Fer- 
 rara, threatening them with excommunication and the 
 loss of their benefices if they did not reform their 
 manner of living, and cease wearing beards, velvet 
 shoes, silk shirts, and other articles of dress inappro- 
 priate to their calling ; adding that the heretic Mar-
 
 46 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 tin Luther, in the sermon he preached at Lamagna 
 against the Papacy, brought forward the luxurious 
 mode of life and dress of the Catholic clergy in proof 
 of the errors of Romanism. In his brief his Holiness 
 expressed his disapprobation in most emphatic terms, 
 as the following extract from it will show : — 
 
 " Debiano andare in hahito da prete honesto, senza 
 harhe, et altri portamenti diskonesti, come portano, de 
 scarpe de veluti, camixe lavorate de seda, tagliate e con 
 hragete deshonesie, et questi cussi vani erano certi zove- 
 nastri heneficiati, inamorati, li quali stariano bene in 
 galea, e Martin Lutero alega questi portamenti in le so 
 prediche che Luifa in Lamagna contra al Papa, e S. S. 
 hafatto vestire la Corte da preto e piu non vanno da 
 sbrichi (bricconi) co7no facevano " (Cron. Mod. di To- 
 maxin de Bianchi, nelle Memorie di storia patria per 
 leprovincie modenesi, vol. i. part ii., page 293).
 
 THE JUDGE. 47 
 
 CHAPTEE III. 
 
 THE JUDGE. 
 
 FTEE Camille had left them, and 
 the door had been firmly closed, 
 the Judge received his friend with 
 every demonstration of affection and re- 
 spect. Finding Ochino almost fainting from 
 fatigue, his first act was to set before 
 him some refreshments, of which the ex- 
 monk, exhausted though he was, but very 
 sparingly partook ; for although he had 
 some years before quitted the Capuchin 
 order, and rejected as worthless many of 
 their habits and customs, still he practised 
 their abstemious manner of living. Setting 
 apart the meat and wine which had been 
 set before him, he contented himself with
 
 48 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 some bread, fruit, and a glass of water. 
 During the simple repast, his host sat 
 opposite to him, silently watching him, 
 and it was not till he had concluded that 
 any continuous conversation ensued be- 
 tween them. Ochino, having reverently 
 returned thanks to Heaven for the meal 
 of which he had partaken, his host said to 
 him — 
 
 " My dear friend, I hardly know whether 
 to be pleased or sorry to see you; for al- 
 though the gratification of meeting an old 
 and dear brother in the faith is great in- 
 deed, I cannot disguise from myself the 
 terrible danger you have incurred in thus 
 visiting Ferrara." 
 
 " For years past," said Ochino, " I have 
 been so used to persecution and danger that 
 they have lost most of their terrors for me. 
 I have my work to perform, and the danger 
 must be more terrible than any I have ever 
 yet met which can deter me. But first tell 
 me in what state is our holy cause at pre-
 
 THJEJ JUDGE. 49 
 
 sent in Ferrara. Do those wlio have ac- 
 cepted the truth still hold manfully to 
 it, or do the persecutions with which they 
 are pressed drive them back to the errors of 
 Eome ?" 
 
 " Alas ! my friend, here, as in every 
 other part of Italy, the hand of the perse- 
 cutor is strong upon us. Hundreds, under 
 the pressure of punishment and intimidation, v 
 have succumbed. All right of public meet- 
 ing for the celebration of our religion has 
 been withdrawn, and even the act of meet- 
 ing together for prayer has been adjudged 
 criminal." 
 
 " But, surely," said Ochino, " that must 
 be contrary to the laws of Ferrara ? One of 
 the principal boasts of your citizens was, 
 that liberty of conscience was permitted 
 throughout the whole Duchy of Ferrara. 
 Has that law, then, been abrogated ?'' 
 
 " The law remains in our statute books 
 as fresh as the day it was first made, and 
 the Duke himself, on his accession to power, 
 
 VOL. I. 4
 
 60 TEE INQUISITOR. 
 
 swore to maintain it. But while in the 
 cases of the Jew, the Idolator, or the Ma- 
 hometan, the law still remains in its full 
 force, it is denied, under the most severe 
 penalties, to us Protestants." 
 
 "But how can you, as a Judge, sworn 
 
 to administer the laws without partiality, 
 
 allow your Protestant brethren to be perse- 
 
 ^ cuted contrary to the spirit of the law you 
 
 are called upon to administer ?" 
 
 " I am helpless in the case,'' said the 
 Judge. "A power — that of the Inquisition 
 — has been established in Ferrara, which 
 overrules all laws but its own; a power 
 which claims to carry with it its own absolu- 
 tion, sanctifying, as a service acceptable to 
 Grod, acts which set all Grod's laws at de- 
 fiance." 
 
 " But still you remain in power. Can 
 you not, therefore, insist upon the law 
 being carried out in its integrity ? or 
 do your brother Judges oppose you ?" 
 
 ''- My brother Judges, though the majority
 
 THE JUDGE. 51 
 
 of them are Romanists, to do them justice, 
 have endeavoured to maintain the law 
 granting liberty of conscience to the in- 
 habitants of Ferrara. Nay more, they 
 made desperate efforts to maintain it in 
 spite of the Inquisition itself. At last a 
 case arose which gave a fair opportunity 
 for a trial of strength between the civil and 
 the ecclesiastical law as administered by 
 the Inquisitors, and the result of the 
 struggle was the triumph of the persecutor. 
 A certain Giorgio Siculo, of whose efforts 
 in the cause of truth you may have heard, 
 was cited to appear before the Inquisition 
 on a charge of heresy, and some of its 
 officers were sent to arrest him ; but on 
 searching his house he could not be found, 
 and his wife and family either could not or 
 would not give any information as to where 
 he was concealed, notwithstanding their 
 being threatened with punishment should 
 it be found out that they had not spoken 
 the truth. Still Siculo was nowhere to be 
 
 4 — 2 

 
 52 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 found. His wife was put to the torture, 
 but nothing could extort the secret from 
 her, if she knew it. The Inquisitors were 
 determined not to be baffled of their prey, 
 and not only sent abroad fresh spies to dis- 
 cover him, but offered heavy rewards to 
 those who would betray him. They were 
 on the point of succeeding, when late one 
 night Siculo called on me, and begged me 
 to use the power of the civil law to protect 
 him, asserting that he had in no way con- 
 travened the laws of Ferrara. JSTay more, 
 that he had not even infringed the ecclesi- 
 astical law, inasmuch as he had never yet 
 attacked the Church of Eome, although he 
 had preached against its abuses." 
 
 " I trust you granted his request," said 
 Ochino. 
 
 " I did. I concealed him in my own 
 house till I had an opportunity of meeting 
 in consultation with the other Judges. 
 They all agreed with me that Siculo's was 
 a proper case to try whether the eccle-
 
 THB JUDGE. 53 
 
 siastical laws administered by the Inquisi- 
 tion were superior to the civil laws of 
 Ferrara. When I told them that Siciilo 
 was concealed in my house, my brother 
 Judges advised that he should be placed 
 for safety in one of the cells used for the 
 detention of prisoners before their trial in 
 the Palace of Justice. This was agreed to. 
 On the day before Siculo's case was to be 
 publicly argued in court, he surrendered 
 himself into the hands of the officers of the 
 civil justice, and notice was sent to the In- 
 quisitors informing them of the fact. When 
 they received the intelligence, they imme- 
 diately demanded that the prisoner should 
 be delivered up to them, and incarcerated 
 in the dungeons of the Inquisition, which 
 possibly you may be aware has been esta- 
 blished in the monastery of the Corpus 
 Domini. This, of course, was objected to 
 by the Judges, and the inquiry into Siculo's 
 case was ordered to take place the follow- 
 ing morning, so as to let it be conducted
 
 54 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 with as little popular agitation as possible. 
 The rumour, however, had spread abroad 
 among the Protestant population that the 
 inquiry was to take place, and long before 
 daybreak many people began to collect 
 before the Palace of Justice, ready to enter 
 when the door should be opened. As day 
 dawned, and objects became clearer, some 
 of them thought they distinctly perceived 
 something hanging to the iron bars of one 
 of the upper windows of the Palace ; and as 
 the light became stronger, the object began to 
 assume the shape of a human being. Broad 
 daylight came, and, to the horror of every 
 one, the figure proved to be the dead body of 
 Giorgio Siculo, who had been in the night 
 hanged at the bars of the Palace window." 
 
 " But by whose order ?" said Ochino, 
 utterly aghast. 
 
 " That the order came from the Inquisi- 
 tion there can be no doubt," replied the 
 Judge, "but beyond that all is veiled in 
 mystery. My brother Judges, Catholic as
 
 THB JUDGE. 65 
 
 they are, were indignant at the act, and a 
 rigid inquiry was instituted ; but not a 
 word could be heard, nor a fact learnt, 
 which could throw the faintest light on the 
 matter." 
 
 " But you surely do not mean to say that 
 your investigations were attended with no 
 result ?" 
 
 "My friend, if you knew the state in 
 which we now live in Eerrara, you would 
 be but little surprised." 
 
 " How, then, is your public worship con- 
 ducted ?" inquired Ochino. 
 
 " Public worship, my friend," said the 
 Judge, "has long since been abolished. 
 As I told you before, the ecclesiastical 
 courts have declared it penal. Nor can 
 we worship together privately, for so com- 
 pletely is Ferrara deluged by spies, that 
 if three met for private worship, the pro- 
 bability is that one of them would be a 
 traitor. And how can it be otherwise, 
 when they are taught that it is acceptable
 
 56 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 to Heaven to play the traitor on those 
 nearest and dearest to them ?'* 
 
 " But the Duchess Eenee," said Ochino, 
 " surely she has not withdrawn her protec- 
 tion from the suffering Protestants in the 
 city ?" 
 
 '^ No, her willingness to shelter them is 
 as great as ever ; but, alas ! her ability has 
 been greatly curtailed. In consequence 
 of what his Highness has been pleased to 
 call her heretical opinions, he has separated 
 from her, and assigned to her the Palace of 
 San Francesco, where she now holds her 
 court ; but even there a system of the most 
 complete espionage is kept up. Although 
 she is allowed to have her daughters Lucrezia 
 and Eleanora with her, it is solely under 
 the condition that the Jesuit Father Pelle- 
 tario has the superintendence of their 
 education. With the exception of my own 
 daughter, Teresa, who, since the death of 
 my wife has acted as lady-in-waiting on the 
 Duchess, and a few other officials attached
 
 THE JUDGE. 67 
 
 to her person, all around her are bigoted 
 Catholics." 
 
 A silence of a few moments now occurred, 
 which was broken by Bernardino Ochino 
 saying — 
 
 " You greatly grieve me by what you tell 
 me respecting the Duchess, as my mission 
 to Ferrara was almost purposely to see 
 her." 
 
 " That she will receive you with a cordial 
 welcome is certain," said the Judge ; '' but 
 whether you will be safe, even under her 
 roof, is very doubtful, so great is the anger 
 of Eome against you. Do you intend 
 stopping any time in Ferrara?" 
 
 "Only a few days. An attempt has 
 been made to form an Italian Church in 
 Zurich for those of our countrymen who 
 have fled from Italy for conscience sake, 
 and I am intrusted with the charge of 
 organizing it. One portion of my mission 
 was to spread abroad among the faithful the 
 knowledge of the existence of this Church,
 
 58 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 to which they might fly for refuge when 
 driven from their own country ; and the 
 second was to ask the pecuniary assistance 
 and patronage of the Duchess. The first 
 part I have to a considerable extent accom- 
 plished. By adopting my present dress I 
 have been enabled to visit the churches at 
 Aosta, Como, Lucca, and other towns, and, 
 thank God ! hitherto I have succeeded, 
 although my labours have not been un- 
 attended with danger. But tell me, do 
 you think the Duchess will be able to assist 
 me?" 
 
 " Certainly she does not want the will ; 
 as for the means, it is different. So con- 
 tinuous are the demands on her charity in 
 the city, that I am afraid she will be able 
 to afford you but little help. However, 
 you had better see her to-morrow, and ask 
 her for an asylum. It will be better for 
 you to seek protection in her Palace, for I 
 tell you candidly, you will not be in safety 
 here. With the exception of my friend
 
 THE JUDGE. 59 
 
 Camille and my daughter Teresa, there is 
 hardly a soul with whom I am intimate on 
 whom I could rely ; and be assured that 
 even powerful as the protection of the 
 Duchess may be, it will not be more than 
 sufficient to shield you from the attacks of 
 the Inquisitors as soon as they know you 
 are in the city." 
 
 " How should they know I am here ?" 
 said Ochino. *' I have told no one my 
 name, and I entered the city at dark, by 
 the gate of San Giorgio, purposely avoiding 
 the Palace, and keeping my cowl well over 
 my features along the whole road. Beyond 
 an ignorant old man whom I found in the 
 marshes, and your friend Camille, I have 
 spoken to no one." 
 
 "Still you are not in safety; for although 
 I can fully depend upon Camille, who 
 knows but the old man was a spy sent to 
 dog your footsteps, or that he has not 
 already given notice of your arrival? A 
 law has been established, ordering, under
 
 60 THE INQUISITOB. 
 
 the penalty of a heavy fine and a severe 
 flogging, that notice shall be given to the 
 police of any stranger entering the city, no 
 matter in how humble circumstances ; and 
 of this you may be certain, that your arrival 
 is already known. What answer did you 
 make to the porter at the gate of San 
 Giorgio?" 
 
 " I did not speak to him," said Ochino. 
 "The old man my companion imagined 
 that, as I was in the dress of a Capuchin 
 Friar, I intended lodging at the convent; 
 and T did not undeceive him." 
 
 "And to-morrow the convent will be 
 visited, and as the superior will certainly not 
 be able to give a satisfactory answer to the 
 inquiries, spies will be set upon your track. 
 There is but one means by which you can 
 escape, and that is by obtaining the pro- 
 tection of the Duchess Eenee. Although, 
 as I said before, her power is greatly 
 diminished, still her spirit and courage are 
 unabated ; and if she offers you an asylum
 
 THE JUDGE. 61 
 
 in her Palace you will be safe, unless you 
 fall a victim to some hidden plot. True, 
 since the accession of his Majesty Henry II. 
 to the throne of France, the fear of offend- 
 ing a French princess is less in the eyes 
 of Eome than it used to be. Still the ex- 
 periment would be a dangerous one, as her 
 Highness would be little inclined to allow 
 an insult of the kind to be offered her with 
 impunity.'* 
 
 "You stated that Pelletario, the Jesuit, 
 is now confessor to the daughters of the 
 Duchess. If I were to reside in the Palace 
 he would be sure to recognise me, for we 
 were formerly intimate." 
 
 ''Of Pelletario you have less to fear than of 
 any of the others. He is a learned man and 
 an elegant scholar, and I do not think that, 
 unless stimulated by a very strong motive, 
 he would take any overt act against so 
 distinguished a man as yourself. No, all 
 things considered, you cannot do better 
 than appeal to the Duchess for protection.
 
 62 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 To-morrow morning, early, I will send to 
 my daugliter Teresa, and tell her to inform 
 the Duchess that you have arrived, and that 
 you request an interview with her. At the 
 same time, let me advise you to change 
 your dress for that of a civilian. To appear 
 at court in the one you now wear might 
 expose you to danger — for being no longer 
 a brother of the order, you have no right 
 to it. But you must be tired with your 
 day's journey. I will now show you to 
 your bed-room, where you may remain in 
 perfect safety at any rate till to-morrow, as, 
 from motives of prudence, I allow no 
 servants to sleep in my apartments, and 
 therefore, beyond Camille, no one will know 
 that you are here." 
 
 Ochino and his host now rose to separate 
 for the night, but before doing so the former 
 said, " But tell me who is the young man who 
 conducted me into your presence ? From 
 what he told me, he seemed to be an 
 intimate friend of yours."
 
 TEE JUDGE. 63 
 
 " His father is a merchant in Geneva, 
 and an intimate friend of the illustrious 
 John Calvin. When young, Camille 
 entered the French army, but quitted it to 
 study law, and became a pupil at the uni- 
 versity. He was introduced to me by one of 
 the professors, and has since been a constant 
 visitor at my house. I almost look upon 
 him as a pupil, for although I relinquished 
 my position as professor at the university 
 when I was appointed senior Judge, I still 
 feel sufficient interest in him to continue 
 the superintendence of his studies. Next 
 year he is to return to Geneva, where he 
 intends to commence practice. I will 
 introduce you to him, and I am sure you 
 will like him, You will doubtless be re- 
 quested by the Duchess to preach in a 
 small chapel she has fitted up in the Palace, 
 the only place in Ferrara where a few can 
 gather together to hear the Word. It will 
 be indeed a pleasure to us all, for it is now 
 some months since we have been able to
 
 64 TEE INQUISITOR. 
 
 join together in worship ; for although her 
 Highness, when we have a preacher bold 
 enough to visit us, would willingly receive 
 all those thirsting after the truth, the ex- 
 periment is too dangerous to allow it to be 
 often repeated. But I will detain you no 
 longer, my friend. Sleep securely to-night ; 
 you shall not be disturbed. When break- 
 fast has been prepared, I shall dismiss my 
 servant, and you may then leave your room 
 in safety. Afterwards I will conduct you 
 to the Palace." 
 
 The Judge then showed Ochino his 
 room, and the two friends separated for the 
 night.
 
 THE DUCHESS. 65 
 
 CHAPTEE IV. 
 
 THE DUCHESS. 
 
 LTHOU^H the Duchess Eenee no 
 longer resided with the Duke in the 
 Este Palace, it can hardly be said that 
 a direct separation had taken place between 
 them. He continued to treat her with 
 marked respect and attention, and supported 
 her in all matters except those connected 
 with religion ; and her authority seems to 
 have been as much respected in Ferrara 
 during the absence of her husband as that 
 of the Duke himself. 
 
 For many years Eenee appears to have 
 wavered between Protestantism and Eo- 
 manism, greatly favouring the former, while 
 at the same time openly professing herself 
 
 VOL. I. 5
 
 Q6 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 a member of the Eomish creed. Altliougli 
 we find her sheltering Calvin, Ochino, Pietro 
 Martire Vermigli, Clement Marot, and many 
 other Protestant celebrities, and accepting 
 with pleasure the dedication of Bruccioli's 
 translation of the Bible into Italian, we find 
 her, outwardly at least, joining in several 
 Catholic ceremonies without hesitation. 
 Even as late as the year 1543, Muratori 
 tells us that the Duchess, attended by 
 seventy-two ladies, dressed in black silk 
 ornamented with gold embroidery, all on 
 horseback, followed by many carriages filled 
 with other ladies, and by the Duke himself 
 with a cortege of noblemen and gentlemen 
 on horseback, rode out to the gate of San 
 Giorgio to meet the sovereign Pontifi" Paul 
 III., when he visited Ferrara. They then 
 accompanied him in his procession to the 
 Cathedral, where he celebrated the Pontifical 
 Mass, and presented the Duke with a golden 
 rose, and a sword and hat, which he had 
 blessed. The Duke testified the greatest
 
 THE DUCHESS. 67 
 
 joy at the honour the Pope had done him, 
 and kissed the feet of his Holiness with the 
 utmost reverence. Eenee's attendance at 
 this mass is emphatically recorded by more 
 than one of the Eoman Catholic historians 
 of Ferrara, as proving that at that time her 
 Highness was still a faithful child of the 
 Church of Eome. Muratori also tells us 
 that the Pope, when he quitted the city, 
 presented the Duchess with a costly dia- 
 mond, and a jewel composed of diamonds in 
 the form of a flower, in addition to many 
 gifts to her children. 
 
 Renee's attendance at mass on the occa- 
 sion of the visit of Pope Paul III. was her 
 last, it appears, for many years ; in fact from 
 that time her opinions seem to have taken a 
 decided change in favour of Protestantism, 
 till at length she openly renounced the 
 Roman Catholic faith. Of the proximate 
 cause of the change it would be difficult to . 
 form any correct conclusion, though it is 
 more than probable it arose from disgust at 
 
 5—2
 
 68 THE INQUI8IT0E. 
 
 the duplicity shown by the Pontiff on his 
 visit to Ferrara, and her abhorrence of the 
 cruelties of the Inquisition which were 
 afterwards practised by his authority, and 
 which tribunal he had, when visiting Terrara 
 and expressing all outward love and affec- 
 tion for its inhabitants, brought with him 
 in his train, and established in the city. 
 Two years later his Holiness addressed a 
 brief to the authorities of Ferrara, requiring 
 them to institute a strict investigation into 
 the conduct of every person, of whatever 
 rank or order, suspected of entertaining 
 erroneous religious opinions, and after having 
 taken depositions to apply the torture, and 
 when the trial was completed to transmit 
 the whole process to Eome for judgment. 
 
 It was on the publication of this order 
 of the Pope that Eenee appears first to have 
 openly opposed the Church of Eome, which 
 she did by taking under her protection the 
 Protestants of Ferrara, and that with so 
 much vigour, that for five years the order of
 
 THE DUCHESS. 69 
 
 the Pope remained little better than a dead 
 letter. But while the Duchess and her ad- 
 visers, true to the policy of the Protestant 
 Eeformers, boldly denounced the errors of 
 their antagonists, and sought by open argu- 
 ment to support their cause, the Inquisition 
 adopted the usual crafty policy it was in the 
 habit of showing when its opponents were 
 strong. The Inquisitors established agents 
 in all parts of the city, who set secretly to 
 work, endeavouring by every means in their 
 power to undermine the new principles 
 which had taken root throughout the whole 
 of Ferrara. 
 
 So vigorous was the onslaught made by 
 the Inquisition, that resolute and courageous 
 as the Duchess Eenee had become in the 
 Protestant cause, she seemed almost para- 
 lysed at the power brought against her ; 
 and for some short time appears considerably 
 to have relaxed her wonted energy. In 
 fact, so little opposition did she appear to 
 offer, that those who had hitherto looked
 
 70 THE INQUISITOE. 
 
 upon her as their champion, now seemed to 
 lose heart. The news of her inaction at last 
 reached the ears of Calvin, who was then 
 resident in Greneva, and for whom she always 
 appeared to entertain a great respect. In a 
 letter written to her, and which is still in 
 existence, he begs of her again to exert her- 
 self in the cause of the unfortunate, and to 
 protect those suffering for religion's sake, 
 urging her particularly not to listen to the 
 arguments of the priests attached to her 
 court, who would lead her from the truth. 
 
 She appears to have received fresh im- 
 pulse from Calvin's letter, and her protection 
 of the Protestants not only became more 
 open, but she now boldly announced herself 
 one of their number, and succeeded to a 
 certain extent in stopping the violence of 
 the persecution. At length a circumstance 
 occurred — the death of Francis I. of France 
 — which deprived her of a good and power- 
 ful ally. From Henry II., himself a bigot, 
 she could expect no support, and the Inqui-
 
 THE DUCHESS. 71 
 
 sitors knowing this but too well, carried on 
 their persecutions with greater vigour, and 
 even implored the Duke to incarcerate his 
 wife, unless she returned to the Catholic 
 faith. 
 
 The Duke, though willing to oblige the 
 Inquisitors, had too much respect for his wife 
 to obey their request, and he hesitated to 
 proceed with anything like severity against 
 the mother of his children and a daughter of 
 France. The inquisition still pressed upon 
 him the necessity of insisting on his wife 
 again adopting the Catholic faith, and the 
 Duke promised he would take the subject 
 into his serious consideration, although he 
 would not do so until he had tried every 
 conciliatory means of bringing her round to 
 what he considered a better frame of mind. 
 With this intent he commissioned his con- 
 fessor, the Jesuit Pelletario, to argue with 
 her in order to convince her of the error of 
 her ways, and endeavour by every means in 
 his power to induce her to return to the
 
 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 Church of Eome. The Duke's policy, how- 
 ever, was useless, for Renee w^ould not listen 
 to the arguments of the Jesuit, and even re- 
 fused to receive him into her presence, and 
 this was done in so open and abrupt a 
 manner as to rouse tlie anger of the Duke, 
 who determined, on his part, to show some 
 of that energy which his wife possessed in 
 so marked a degree. He now told her, with 
 an amount of determination which must 
 have surprised her, that for the future he 
 should no longer consider her as his wife, 
 but that to prevent open scandal he would 
 resign to her the Palace of San Francesco. 
 Here she could maintain a court of her own, 
 where her authority would be as strictly 
 obeyed as if she were residing with him in 
 the Este Palace; but her two daughters 
 were no longer to be with her. 
 
 This was indeed a cruel blow to Eenee, 
 who was most tenderly attached to her 
 children; and she earnestly implored her 
 husband to alter his decision. Angry as
 
 THE VUCHES8. 73 
 
 the Duke was at what he considered the 
 obstinacy of his wife, he had still too much 
 respect for her to be indifferent to her en- 
 treaties ; while, on the other hand, he was 
 strongly urged by the Inquisitors to main- 
 tain the resolution he had come to. At 
 last a compromise was arrived at. Her two 
 daughters were allowed to remain with her 
 under tlie sole condition that she should 
 not tamper with their religion, and that 
 they should be under the spiritual care of 
 the Jesuit Pelletario. All other members of 
 her court, Eenee was to choose for herself, 
 and they were to be allowed, while under 
 her roof, to practise the Reformed religion. 
 The Duchess had no alternative but to 
 accept these conditions. She removed to 
 the Palace of San Francesco, choosing her 
 officials as much as possible from Protestant 
 families, though even among these there 
 was too much reason to believe many were 
 but spies in disguise. 
 
 As soon as Eenee heard of the arrival of
 
 74 THE INQUI8IT0B. 
 
 Bernardino Ochino in Ferrara, she imme- 
 diately offered him shelter and protection, at 
 the same time advising him to assume some 
 other name, for powerful as her protection 
 still was within the walls of San Francesco, 
 it would hardly be sufficient to defend him 
 from the fury of the Inquisitors did they 
 discover he had had the audacity again to 
 make his appearance in the city. 
 
 In the afternoon of the same day, Ochino, 
 in the quiet dress of a citizen of Ferrara, 
 accompanied by the Judge Hosetti, pro- 
 ceeded to a secluded door of the Palace 
 which opened into a back street, and whicli 
 had already been used for the purpose of 
 sheltering the fugitive and the oppressed. 
 
 On their arrival, the door was opened from 
 the interior by an aged servant of foreign 
 aspect, who conducted Ochino and the Judge 
 up a narrow staircase whicli led into a cor- 
 ridor, from whence a door opened into a 
 private room. Here they were ushered into 
 the presence of the Duchess, who was
 
 THE DUCHESS. 75 
 
 attended by Teresa Eosetti, the daughter 
 of the Judge, and another lady in waiting. 
 
 On seeing Ochino enter, the Duchess rose 
 from her chair to receive him. When he 
 bent on his knee to kiss her hand, she raised 
 him, and insisted on his taking a seat by her 
 side. After a few conventional sentences of 
 welcome, the Duchess said to him — 
 
 " Have I correctl}^ understood Teresa 
 Eosetti that the object of your visit to 
 Ferrara is to obtain help for the establish- 
 ment of a church and refuge in Zurich, 
 where those persecuted in Italy for the 
 truth's sake may fly for shelter and pro- 
 tection ?" 
 
 " It is, noble lady," said Ochino ; " and I 
 trust wdth your powerful assistance I shall 
 be able to accomplish it." 
 
 " Alas ! my friend," said Eenee, " my 
 power, as Eosetti will tell you, is but limited 
 indeed." Then noticing an expression of 
 doubt on Ochino's countenance, Eenee con- 
 tinued — " Nay, believe me, I do not speak
 
 76 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 without experience : my power is almost 
 gone. If you doubt rae, inquire what was 
 the fate of Fannio of Faenza. In vain did 
 I use my authority to save him." 
 
 " And is it really true," said Ochino, "that 
 the worthy man suffered for the faith ? 
 When in London, I heard tbat he had been 
 arrested and put upon his trial; and al- 
 though I knew how much he had raised the 
 anger of the Court of Rome by his preach- 
 ing, I thanked Grod that he had so power- 
 ful a protector as your Highness, and I felt 
 assured that in the end he would escape." 
 
 ' ' Alas ! you far over-rated my powers," 
 said the Duchess ; " and yet to save him I 
 exerted them to the utmost. He was tried 
 by the Inquisition, and having openly 
 avowed that he was a Lutheran, was judged 
 guilty and his sentence sent for confirmation 
 to Eome. A month afterwards he was 
 burnt in the Piazza, and his ashes thrown 
 into the river. Although discouraged by 
 my failure, I still exerted myself to save
 
 THE DUCHESS. 77 
 
 others, but all in vain. You may depend, 
 however, upon what little authority I have 
 being used in your favour. But were you 
 well advised to undertake this mission your- 
 self? Had you written to me, I would 
 have been equally willing to aid you with- 
 out your incurring the terrible risk you do 
 by visiting this unhappy city." 
 
 " I well calculated," replied Ochino, '* all 
 the chances that would be brought against 
 me, although I admit I was little prepared to 
 hear how terribly our cause in Ferrara has 
 fallen. Still I fear nothing. The same 
 God who protected me in the different 
 cities I have traversed on my road hither 
 will protect me here. But should He in 
 his wisdom allow me to fall into the hands 
 of the persecutor, I am convinced it will 
 be for some good reason, and I shall sub- 
 mit to my fate with resignation." 
 
 " It shall be from no fault of mine," said 
 Eenee, "if you do not quit Ferrara with 
 as much safety as you entered it. At the
 
 78 THE INQUISITOR, 
 
 same time, great prudence and caution 
 must be used. You are too well known 
 here not to be recognised if you are seen 
 abroad, and therefore I would advise you 
 not to leave the Palace. While within its 
 walls, I trust I shall be able to protect you, 
 though even of this I am not certain. Once 
 seen outside your doom will be sealed. How 
 long do you intend to remain among us ?" 
 
 " The extent of my visit will not be 
 beyond a few days," said Ochino, "as I 
 wish to proceed to Venice, where I have some 
 friends who will also protect me, and where 
 I expect to receive liberal contributions to 
 my work." 
 
 " Are you aware," said Eenee, " that the 
 Inquisition is also established in Venice, 
 and that you will hardly be safer there than 
 in Ferrara?" 
 
 " Pardon me, your Highness,'* said 
 Ochino; "although the Inquisition is cer- 
 tainly established in Venice, the council 
 would only allow it under the condition that
 
 THE DUCHESS. 79 
 
 a judge of the civil law should sit on all 
 cases, and have equal power with the In- 
 quisitor ; and that unless both concur in a 
 judgment, it should not be carried out. In 
 Ferrara, on the other hand, as we have too 
 good reason to know, the civil law is power- 
 less against the Inquisition. In Venice, 
 believe me, there is far less danger than 
 here." 
 
 " Well, that being the case, thought must 
 be taken in what manner you can reach 
 Venice." 
 
 " Possibly the safest and easiest plan will 
 be for me to descend the river till I reach 
 Commacehio, where there will be no diffi- 
 culty in finding a vessel to carry me to 
 Venice. But before leaving Ferrara," con- 
 tinued Ochino, " I trust I shall have an op- 
 portunity of seeing and exhorting those of 
 our faith to have courage under persecution 
 and continue in the right way." 
 
 " It would be cruel indeed on my part," 
 said Eenee, " to attempt to deprive them of
 
 80 THE INQUISITOB. 
 
 SO great a consolation, and every assistance 
 I can afford, both to them and to you, I will 
 willingly give. This evening after nightfall 
 (for it would be dangerous to attempt it 
 earlier) my private chapel shall be prepared, 
 and all those of our religion whom I can 
 trust, shall be invited to attend. Our con- 
 gregation," the Duchess continued, smiling 
 sadly, " will appear small indeed compared 
 with that you addressed the last time you 
 preached in Ferrara, when, you remember, 
 our immense Cathedral was far too small to 
 hold those who rushed to hear you. But 
 be assured of this, a more devout assembly, 
 or one more earnestly seeking consolation 
 and encouragement, no preacher ever had, 
 than those who will meet here to-night. 
 Still they must be selected with care and 
 caution, for unhappily there are many of the 
 children of Judas among us, who would 
 readily betray their Master." 
 
 The conversation then turned on the Pro- 
 testant cause in Switzerland, and especially
 
 THE DUCHESS. 81 
 
 in Zuricli. Afterwards Ochino narrated to 
 the Duchess the different adventures he had 
 passed through since he had escaped from 
 Italy, dwelling particularly on his sojourn 
 in England, and the friendly reception he 
 had received from the Protector Somerset.* 
 The intelligent, though somewhat plain 
 features of the Duchess, kindled up with 
 indignation when, with all his graphic 
 powers, Ochino described the persecutions in 
 Smithfield, and the cruelties practised on 
 the unfortunate reformers after the accession 
 of Mary to the throne. 
 
 "And is the monarch of that country a 
 woman ?" asked Renee. " I blush for our 
 sex. O that I had been in her place !" She 
 continued to pace the room backwards and 
 forwards for some time, none caring to 
 interrupt her in her exhibition of indignation, 
 when suddenly she turned round to Ochino 
 — " But how long has this monster been on 
 
 * See Note 1, page 92. 
 VOL. I. 6
 
 82 THE INQUISITOB. 
 
 the throne ? I thought the monarch of 
 England was a young king." Then turn- 
 ing sharply on Teresa, she said," Was it not 
 the catechism written especially for his 
 instruction that I ordered to be translated 
 into Italian, and printed in Venice ?* How 
 is it possible, with such a religion as that 
 teaches, that the English people can have 
 again relapsed into Eomanism?" 
 
 " But your Highness," said Ochino, " his 
 Majesty King Edward YI. died when quite 
 a youth, two years since ; and the Princess 
 Mary, who had been educated in the Catho- 
 lic faith, instigated by her husband, Philip 
 of Spain, commenced a system of terror and 
 persecution, to drive what they call heresy 
 out of the land." 
 
 *' Do you think they will succeed ?" asked 
 Eenee. 
 
 " There is no chance of it, your High- 
 ness," replied Ochino. "The Queen and 
 
 * See Note 2, page 92.
 
 THE DUCHESS. 83 
 
 her husband but little know the temper of 
 the people over whom they rule. The great 
 mass of their subjects are sincere Protestants, 
 and although out of respect for the laws 
 they may submit for a time to the persecu- 
 tions, depend upon it, every fresh funeral 
 pile which is lighted in Smithfield but 
 hurries on the day of retribution." 
 
 " Is the Queen then not beloved by her 
 subjects ?" inquired Eenee, 
 
 " As little as it is possible for a monarch 
 to be. Great as may be the love of the 
 English in general for their monarchs, all 
 seem to look with satisfaction rather than 
 pity on the infirm state of her health." 
 
 " Is her malady considered fatal?" asked 
 Eenee. 
 
 " So it is stated, your Highness ; but, 
 of course, I am no authority on the 
 subject." 
 
 *' And who will be her successor?" 
 
 " The Princess Elizabeth, it is believed." 
 
 " And what religion does she profess ?" 
 
 6—2
 
 84 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 inquired Eenee. " Is she still in the errors 
 of Eomanism, or has she adopted the 
 reformed faith?" 
 
 " A warmer supporter of the Protestant 
 faith does not exist in Europe/' replied 
 Ochino. '' The eyes of all Protestants are 
 turned towards her. Probably it is the 
 hope that she will soon succeed to the 
 throne, and that only, which keeps the 
 English people from rising against the 
 present Queen." 
 
 The conversation continued some time 
 longer on the same subject, and Eenee then 
 gave orders to an attendant that an apart- 
 ment should be provided in the Palace where 
 her visitor should not be subjected to inter- 
 ruption. The audience with the Duchess 
 then terminated, upon the understanding 
 that at nightfall they should re-assemble, 
 with as many Protestant friends as possible. 
 
 After the Duchess had left them, Eosetti 
 introduced his daughter to Ochino. There 
 was no little pride in her father's counte-
 
 THE DUGHESS. 
 
 nance as he did so, for a more lovely 
 young girl than Teresa it would have heen 
 difficult to find in Ferrara. She was about 
 seventeen years of age, slim and graceful 
 and of that peculiarly fair complexion 
 which is so often found among girls who 
 have been brought up in the neighbourhood 
 of marshy lands, but without the sickly 
 appearance which generally characterizes 
 them. Her features were delicate — an ex- 
 quisitely formed nose, a small mouth, large 
 dark confiding eyes, black and finely traced 
 eyebrows, an open clear forehead, and 
 beautiful golden hair, which hung down 
 her back and over her shoulders. In the 
 expression of her countenance there was 
 something extremely ingenuous and amiable, 
 conveying an idea of truthfulness so 
 strongly marked, that it appeared im- 
 possible, under any circumstances, to doubt 
 a word she uttered. 
 
 Ochino was evidently struck with the 
 beauty of the young girl, and expressed much
 
 86 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 pleasure at seeing her. He entered freely 
 into conversation with her, and told her 
 that he had two daughters, who with their 
 mother were now in Basle, and that when 
 times were more settled he hoped he should 
 have the pleasure of introducing them to 
 her. Then turning to Eosetti he said — 
 
 " If I remember rightly, you had another 
 daughter ; is she also living under the 
 protection of the Duchess ?" 
 
 " Alas ! my friend, I have now but one 
 child. My other daughter died with her 
 mother during the last visitation of the 
 plague in Ferrara. Teresa is the only 
 relative left me in the world." 
 
 "It is fortunate," said Ochino, " to have 
 found for her so powerful a protectress as 
 the Duchess." 
 
 " I am happy to say her Highness is not 
 the only protectress she has," replied the 
 Judge. " Protestant as my daughter is, 
 the two young Princesses have conceived 
 for her a great affection, and she is allowed
 
 THE DUCHESS. 87 
 
 to associate with them freely, under the 
 express stipulation that no conversation on 
 religious matters passes between them." 
 
 "Are you not afraid," asked Ochino, 
 " that, acting as they are under the autho- 
 rity of the Jesuit Pelletario, they may 
 endeavour to persuade her to quit the true 
 faith?" 
 
 "In the first place," said the Judge, 
 taking his daughter's hand, "I am sure my 
 dear child is too strongly imbued with the 
 principles of her faith, to dread anything, 
 either from the teachings of the Jesuit 
 Pelletario, or the influence of her young 
 friends, much as she is attached to them. 
 But there is still another safeguard for her. 
 When the Duchess took up her residence 
 here in the Palace of San Francesco, it was 
 expressly stipulated that if her Highness 
 did not attempt to interfere with the 
 religion of her daughters there should be 
 no interference with those of her court who 
 professed the Eeformed doctrines, and I
 
 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 am bound to say, at all events as regards 
 my child, that no attempt has hitherto been 
 made to tamper with her faith." 
 
 The conversation was here interrupted 
 by a message from the Duchess requesting 
 Teresa's presence. Bidding her father and 
 Ochino farewell till they should meet again 
 in the evening, she immediately left the 
 room. As soon as she had quitted them 
 Ochino said to his friend, — 
 
 " You must feel your house dreary indeed 
 without the presence of your amiable 
 child." 
 
 " That I would willingly have her with 
 me is true," said her father ; '' but after all 
 it is a great consolation for me to know 
 she is in a place of safety. Were she re- 
 siding with me I should be under a double 
 anxiety. First, from the continual attacks 
 which would be made on her religion, and 
 in the next place, from the admiration she 
 would be likely to excite among the youths 
 of Ferrara, for I cannot shut my eyes to
 
 THE DUCHESS. 89 
 
 the fact, and without a father's prejudice in 
 her favour, that her personal attractions are 
 of no common order. Were she to reside 
 in my house under the care of a goiwernante, 
 it would certainly be a great satisfaction to 
 have her near me, but then again, her being 
 in greater security under the same roof 
 with the Duchess, relieves me from the 
 anxiety I might otherwise feel. As it is 
 she lias the power of visiting me, ac- 
 companied by one of the elder female 
 attendants of the Duchess, whenever she 
 pleases, and on my part, I have free 
 entrance to the Palace. But now, changing 
 the conversation, are there any particular 
 persons whom you wish invited to meet 
 you this evening ? If so, you have but to 
 name them, and I will take means to 
 request their presence." 
 
 Ochino now mentioned the names of 
 several he wished to see. 
 
 "Alas! my friend," said the Judge, "not 
 one of those you have mentioned are to be
 
 90 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 found in Ferrara. More than one has 
 already suffered death for righteousness' 
 sake, several are in the dungeons of the In- 
 quisition, and others have fled for refuge to 
 Switzerland. You will find no longer 
 among us those bright names which shed so 
 great a glory over Ferrara. Not one 
 among them has been allowed to remain. 
 Even the twenty-four ladies and courtiers 
 professing the Eeformed faith, who arrived 
 with the Duchess in Ferrara, have all been 
 banished, and those that now serve her are 
 permitted to do so solely because it is 
 imagined they are not possessed of sufficient 
 intellectual faculties to be of the slightest 
 danger to the religion of the State. Still, 
 the faith is strong among us, although it is 
 scattered, and we dare hardly whisper our 
 religious belief to those who are nearest 
 and dearest to us. Between this and night- 
 fall, I will, assisted by Camille Gurdon, in- 
 vite as many of our faith as may be safely 
 trusted to meet us at the Palace, and when
 
 THE DUCHESS. 91 
 
 our prayers are over they shall be severally 
 introduced to you. Although your visit to 
 Terrara may have been attended with great 
 fatigue and danger, you will have the satis- 
 faction of knowing, when you quit us, that 
 you have done good service in our cause, by 
 renewing in the bosoms of many of us some 
 hope for the future. I will also endeavour 
 to collect funds for your work in Zurich, 
 and I have every reason to hope my appeal 
 will be responded to with liberality. Many 
 ardent adherents of our creed are still to be 
 found among the poor and ignorant, but 
 among the educated and wealthy the pro- 
 portion is still greater. Now* excuse me, 
 my friend, if I leave you. I have no doubt 
 her Highness will see you again before 
 evening. You had better arrange with her 
 in what way you should leave Ferrara, for 
 although the longer you stay with us the 
 greater our satisfaction, the precautions 
 which must be taken to insure your escape 
 will occupy some time, and the sooner we
 
 92 THE INQTimiTOE. 
 
 commence preparations the more likely they 
 are to be carried out in safety." 
 
 Note 1. Page 81. — On his arrival in England 
 Ochino seems to have received a very warm welcome, 
 not only from the young king and the protector, but 
 also from the principal Protestant theologians. Shortly 
 after he had reached London he wrote a very curious and 
 clever work, now almost forgotten, on the unjust pre- 
 tensions of the Pope of Rome. Being then but little 
 acquainted with the English language, he wrote it first 
 in Latin, and then requested his friend Master John 
 Ponet, D.D., to translate it for him. It is printed in 
 black letter, and was published in the year 1549 : — 
 
 " To the Most Myghtie and most excellent Prince 
 Edwarde the Syxthe, by the Grace of God, King of 
 England, Fraunce, and Ireland, and on earth Supreme 
 head of the €hurch of England and Ireland, Ber- 
 nadinus Ochinus Senensis wisheth all Felicitie." 
 
 Note 2. Page 82 — .This Catechism appears to have 
 been translated into Italian by Elorio, with the title 
 " Catechismo, cioe forma breve per amaestrare ifanciulle.; 
 la quale di tuita la Christiana disciplina contiene la, 
 somma. Tradotta di Latino per M. A. Florio." Small 
 8vo, but without place, date, or printer's name. The 
 existence of this work was unknown to the learned 
 Dr. M'Crie, yet it was inserted in the first Roman 
 index, in the list of books strictly prohibited, and must 
 therefore have been well known.
 
 WHERE TWO OB THREE," &c. 93 
 
 CHAPTEE Y. 
 
 WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED 
 TOGETHER," ETC. 
 
 S predicted by Renee, the meeting in 
 the evening to hear the preaching of 
 Ochino formed a singular contrast to 
 that which a few years before had taken 
 place in the Cathedral. Then the body-guard 
 of the Duke were called out to maintain 
 order among those who rushed to hear the 
 celebrated man ; now, the few who washed to 
 be present, quietly and stealthily made their 
 way in the darkness of night, in the shadow 
 of the projecting roofs of the houses to the 
 back entrance of the Palace, carefully and 
 timidly glancing round to see if they were
 
 94 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 watclied, or followed, and frequently turn- 
 ing out of their way if they met any one 
 whom they, rightly or wrongly, suspected. 
 Singly, or at the most in groups of twos or 
 threes, they arrived at the wicket door of 
 the Palace, which was speedily opened to 
 them when they knocked ; and they were 
 received by Camille and an aged female 
 attendant of the Duchess, who conducted 
 them to the private chapel, where seats 
 were assigned them. As they took their 
 places, and offered up the customary short 
 prayer, before uncovering their faces they 
 glanced stealthily round to ascertain whom 
 they knew, looking suspiciously on the 
 others lest there might be some traitor to 
 the cause. By degrees, however, they be- 
 came bolder, and smiles of congratulation, 
 brotherly love, and welcome, became per- 
 ceptible on their countenances, and low 
 whisperings passed between them. And 
 then again, as others entered, the eyes of 
 those already assembled would turn on
 
 « WHERE TWO OB THREE," &c. 95 
 
 them, eager to distinguish whether they 
 were friends or foes, and as they were re- 
 cognised, a smile of greeting passed between 
 them, and so on with all fresh comers, till 
 at last the chapel was completely filled. 
 All suspicion then appeared to vanish, and 
 a look of unfeigned satisfaction, kindness, 
 and affection seemed to illumine the features 
 of the whole congregation. One thing was 
 particularly noticeable among the assembly. 
 Although many women were present, there 
 were no children or young girls, proving 
 that parental love had been too powerful to 
 allow them to expose their offspring to the 
 dangers which might attend a meeting of 
 the kind. It was nearly nine o'clock be- 
 fore all had arrived ; and the Duchess 
 and ladies of her court then entered 
 and took their seats in front of the pulpit, 
 which was shortly afterwards occupied by 
 Ochino. 
 
 The service strongly resembled that in 
 use among the Congregationalists in En-
 
 96 THE INQUISITOB. 
 
 gland in the present day. Some hymns of 
 great simplicity and beauty were sung, and 
 different portions of Scripture, both in the 
 Old and New Testament, were read in 
 Italian from Bruccioli's translation.* A 
 lengthened prayer of great fervour and 
 piety was offered up by Ochino, and then, 
 after another hymn had been sung by the 
 congregation, he rose to commence his ser- 
 mon. His text was Acts xvii. 23. 
 
 The first portion of his address consisted 
 in drawing a comparison between the diffi- 
 culties and dangers experienced by the 
 Apostles in promulgating the doctrines of 
 Christianity among the idolators, and those 
 experienced by the Reformers of the Church 
 of Eome in abolishing its idolatries and 
 abuses. He then went into a lengthened 
 description of the persecution the brethren 
 were at that time suffering in all parts of 
 Europe. He drew a vivid picture of what 
 
 * See Note, page 125.
 
 " WHERE TWO OB THREE," Sfc. 97 
 
 the faithful were then enduring, extending 
 from England in the north to the extreme 
 shores of the Mediterranean in the south, 
 from the eastern extremity of civilized 
 Europe to the most western point of Spain. 
 He dwelt with great force on the cruelties 
 practised upon the unoffending Reformers in 
 the latter country, and showed how the 
 Inquisition, which had there taken even 
 iirmer root than in Italy, tj^annized over 
 the souls and bodies of men, dissolving the 
 most sacred ties among them — the love of 
 the child for the parent, and the husband 
 for the wife. The priests taught that the 
 nearer the tie of relationship, the greater and 
 more pleasing was the sacrifice to God in those 
 who denounced to the Holy Tribunal the 
 Protestant tendencies of their relations. He 
 then passed over to France, where he de- 
 scribed the noble efforts of the Eeformers 
 and the persecutions which were brought 
 to bear on them. He informed his hearers 
 that when the temporal authorities seemed 
 VOL. I. 7
 
 98 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 disposed to show mercy, tlie priests had sent 
 to Spain for Oriz the Inquisitor, a man to 
 whom the sentiment of pity was unknown, 
 to assume the direction of the Inquisition in 
 that country. Thanks, however, to the 
 spirit of justice in that noble nation, it was 
 yet undecided whether he would be allowed 
 to remain, as the persecutions he had 
 organized disgusted even the most bigoted 
 of the lay members of the Catholic Church 
 in Trance. He showed them how the 
 Catholic princes of Germany were striving, 
 though ineffectually, to stamp out the 
 Eeformation ; how in Flanders the Spanish 
 governors, stimulated by the officials of the 
 Spanish Inquisition, had already executed 
 more than sixty thousand Protestants. 
 Even in England, that country which dis- 
 played so glorious an example to the rest of 
 Europe in setting boldly at defiance the 
 despotism of the Church of Eome, a bigoted 
 Catholic monarch sat on the throne, perse- 
 cuting with relentless fury all who would
 
 " WHERE TWO OB TBEEE;' Sfc. 99 
 
 not submit to the dominion of the Pope, 
 and banishing from the hospitable shores of 
 the country those suiferers for the truth's 
 sake who had fled to it for protection in the 
 previous reign, 
 
 " But, mj friends," continued Ochino, '' let 
 us now turn to the brighter side of the pic- 
 ture. Notwithstanding the machinations of 
 the Inquisition in France, and the imprison- 
 ments and executions suffered by the Eefor- 
 mers, the cause of truth appears to be daily 
 gaining ground, and the courage of the per- 
 secuted rises. In Germany, with each fresh 
 persecution, Protestantism seems to take 
 stronger root. In the Netherlands the 
 blood of martyrs so freely shed has had but 
 the effect of creating more converts. In 
 England, Heaven not only supports the 
 persecuted, but the whole nation, indignant 
 at the cruelties practised, will but for a very 
 short time longer submit to them. The 
 health of the present monarch is failing fast, 
 and the Princess, her successor, is strongly 
 
 7—2
 
 100 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 attached to the Eeformed doctrines. And 
 although I cannot state that the prospects 
 of our Church in Spain and in our own 
 beloved country are at present very hopeful, 
 depend upon it, the justice and power of the 
 Almighty are too strong to allow the per- 
 secutor to continue his course unchecked. 
 
 " And now, my friends, I have come to 
 the most painful part of my discourse. I 
 have heard with deep sorrow that many of 
 our dear brethren have again relapsed into 
 the errors of Eomanism, and practise the 
 idolatry of the mass. Painful as their fall 
 is to us, we should not sorrow as those 
 without hope, but energetically try not only 
 to shield and support to the utmost of our 
 power those still among us, but endeavour 
 to recall back again into the fold those who 
 have quitted us. Eemember that the Holy 
 Scriptures prove to us, that those who have 
 been weak in their faith have occasionally 
 risen again into strength. They tell us 
 that, although St. Peter in fear denied his
 
 " WHERE TWO OB TIIBEE," ^c. 101 
 
 Master, his courage rose again, and like a 
 true soldier of the Cross, he bore it to the 
 death. At the same time, this episode in 
 St. Peter's life is not given us as an example 
 to follow, but one to avoid. It teaches us 
 to understand the infinite mercy of Christ in 
 again receiving into his love his weak-hearted 
 disciple. 
 
 " But you may ask in what manner, while 
 labouring under persecution, or in daily 
 dread of some active oppression, and un- 
 guided by the ministers of religion, are you 
 to escape the snares which beset you on 
 every side ? Here, my dear brethren, let me 
 point out to you the unappreciable advan- 
 tage possessed by you over those who are 
 members of the Church of Rome. Although 
 the presence of a minister of religion is 
 advantageous, you have that, in the 
 absence of your minister, which may guide 
 your footsteps with unfailing security — the 
 Holy Scriptures, which are now circulated 
 among you in your own language, so that
 
 102 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 all may read and understand. The wliole 
 College of Cardinals cannot more clearly 
 enlighten a believer in the Church of Eome, 
 than that book is able to enlighten the 
 poorest among you. Let me beg of you, 
 then, to study it attentively, and if you 
 earnestly pray to the Lord to give you the 
 gift of understanding, rely upon it your 
 prayer will not be made in vain. 
 
 "Is it not a great consolation taught 
 you in that Book, that you have the 
 power, without the intermediation of the 
 priesthood, to apply directly to the Almighty 
 for protection and assistance? Explain, 
 then, candidly your disease to the Grreat 
 Physician, show Him openly your wound 
 that He may heal you. Is it not the 
 direct and special function of Christ to 
 destroy sin and wash out all our iniqui- 
 ties ? Never forget that God is all-power- 
 ful, and that without his permission not a 
 hair can fall from your head. Do not 
 allow yourselves to be influenced by follow-
 
 " WHERE TWO OB THREE:' S'c. 103 
 
 ing the example of the multitude, but only 
 that of the saints. Let the word of the 
 Lord be as a lamp before you, for if you 
 do not read and believe the word which 
 was written for your enlightenment, you 
 will find many stumbling-blocks in your 
 path through the world. The Lord knows 
 that in addressing these exhortations to 
 you, I am actuated only by the interest 
 I feel in your spiritual welfare, and I trust 
 you will receive my words as I mean 
 them. I pray God to enlighten you 
 and strengthen you in Jesus Christ, tbat 
 you may triumph over Satan, the world, 
 and the flesh, and in the end obtain the 
 crown which belongs only to those who 
 have conquered. Amen." 
 
 When Ochino had concluded his sermon, 
 the breathless silence which had hitherto 
 reigned in the chapel was partially broken, 
 and a murmur of admiration arose. Another 
 hymn was then sung, a short parting prayer 
 offered up, and the service terminated.
 
 104 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 But instead of the congregation quitting 
 the chapel, they flocked round the pulpit, 
 eager to approach nearer to the preacher 
 when he left it, and that with so much 
 earnestness, that it was difficult to keep 
 them from inconveniencing the Duchess and 
 her suite. When Ochino descended the pulpit 
 steps, the Duchess advanced towards him, 
 and warmly thanked him for his admirable 
 discourse, carrying with it, as it did, conso- 
 lation and comfort to the minds of those 
 greatly needing them. The commendations 
 of the Duchess finished, the congregation 
 now threw off all subjection, and earnestly 
 thanked the preacher for the encouragement 
 and the consolation he had given them, 
 which they assured him they would treasure 
 up in their hearts to strengthen them in 
 the days of persecution. So earnest w^ere 
 they in their manner of addressing him, 
 that Ochino, accustomed as he was to the 
 compliments and praise of those who heard 
 him, was not proof against it, and the tears
 
 " WHERE TWO OB THREE," Sfc. 105 
 
 rolled down his venerable face as he thanked 
 them for their kindness and good feeling. 
 Possibly his tears might have been in some 
 part caused by the idea which doubtless 
 crossed his mind, that in a short time 
 those who now pressed so eagerly around 
 him, would be giv^en over into the power 
 of the persecutor, in whose hands no mercy 
 would be shown them. 
 
 Among those who came forward to kiss 
 the hand of the preacher was the venerable 
 mother of the celebrated Olympia Morata, 
 who had long since been obliged to fly 
 from Ferrara to avoid the persecution with 
 which she was threatened ; for neither youth, 
 talent, beauty, nor all combined, seemed 
 capable of exciting a spark of pity in the 
 minds of the Inquisitors. When the old 
 lady, now in her eightieth year, was in- 
 troduced to Ochino, he received her with 
 great respect and aft'ection. He told her 
 he had had the pleasure of seeing her 
 daughter and her husband as he came
 
 106 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 through Heidelberg, and described the love 
 in wliich they were held by the inhabitants 
 of that city, and how much Olympia gloried 
 in the fact, that in spite of all the persecu- 
 tions which had taken place in Ferrara, 
 her venerable mother had kept true to the 
 faith. Then again were introduced to 
 Ochino many of the relatives of those 
 who had been banished, or had already 
 suffered death for the truth's sake, to all 
 of whom he had some kind word to say. 
 
 So cheering was the influence of that one 
 man on the few members present of the 
 Protestant flock which yet remained in 
 Ferrara, that all seemed to forget the 
 misery which surrounded them, and the 
 dangers with which they were threatened. 
 Instead of dispersing they formed them- 
 selves in knots, and entering the corridor 
 leading to the chapel, conversed together 
 with great friendliness. The Duchess 
 Een^e also greatly exerted herself to please 
 her guests, conversing with them with
 
 " WHERE TWO OB THBEE," ^'c. 107 
 
 much affability. Among tlie many to 
 whom she spoke, there was not one whom 
 she addressed with greater condescension 
 or kind feeling than Camille Gurdon. She 
 complimented him warmly on the exertions 
 he had shown in the cause of truth, and 
 begged him still to go on in the same 
 way, and that he would receive his reward 
 for it in the next world, and not impro- 
 bably in this as well. 
 
 As she said this, Camille, involuntarily, 
 perhaps, cast an anxious glance on Teresa, 
 who stood by the side of the Duchess. 
 The glance, however, was unperceived by 
 Eenee, otherwise she might have arrived 
 at the conclusion, that the hope of the 
 reward entertained by Camille Gurdon in 
 this world was not so far distant as she 
 herself imagined. But if his behaviour 
 passed unnoticed by the Duchess, not so 
 by the young girl who stood by her side, 
 and a blush as deep as crimson spread over 
 her face, which seemed to have so painful
 
 108 TEE INQUISITOR, 
 
 an effect on her that she dropped behind 
 the Duchess. Gurdon, also, perceiving the 
 effect his glance had produced, blushed 
 deeply and cast his eyes on the ground. 
 The Duchess noticed him, and mistaking 
 the cause of his confusion, said to him, 
 
 "]^ay, do not feel embarrassed at what 
 I have said to you, but go on in the same 
 honourable course you have hitherto done, 
 protecting the unfortunate, administering 
 comfort to those in distress, and keeping 
 together in the fold those v^hom the wolves 
 among us would destroy. I have fre- 
 quently heard of your good works, and 
 now, on my own part, and that of my 
 fellow-sufferers, I thank you for them." 
 Then turning to Ochino, who had now 
 joined them, she said, " A more useful or 
 energetic member of our congregation we 
 have not among us, and I only hope that 
 Heaven will grant him health and strength 
 to continue the good work he has put his 
 hand to."
 
 " WHERE TWO OB THREE," ^c. 109 
 
 Ochiuo also complimented the young 
 man on the interest he had taken in the 
 movement, and they then entered into con- 
 versation on the position and hopes of the 
 Eeformers in Geneva. Camille explained 
 to him how strong was the influence of 
 Calvin among the churches in that part 
 of Switzerland, and with what devotion the 
 inhabitants of the town regarded him. 
 
 " And may they long continue to do so," 
 said Ochino, " for he is one of our brightest 
 lights." 
 
 " Earnestly I wish," said Eenee, " he 
 would again visit us, although I am afraid 
 there is but little chance of our seeing him. 
 In a letter I received from him a few days 
 ago, he told me, that much as he wished to 
 visit Ferrara, so numerous and responsible 
 were his calls, that it was, at any rate for 
 the present, impossible for him to come 
 here. Many were the messages he sent 
 to different friends in the city, some, alas I" 
 continued Eenee, with much sympathy in
 
 110 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 her tone, "to those who within the last 
 year have suffered persecution unto death 
 for their adherence to the truth. He also 
 inquired as to the progress of the school 
 which he established for the poorer mem- 
 bers of our community on his last visit 
 here,* but which, I am sorry to say, has 
 for more than two years been abandoned." 
 
 " To hear your Highness say so pains me 
 greatly," said Ochino. " The continuance 
 of his school would indeed have been a 
 benefit, training up, as it did, in the right 
 way, the children of those too poor or too 
 ignorant to guide them themselves." 
 
 " Had we been allowed to continue the 
 school without opposition, your remark 
 would have been perfectly true," said Judge 
 Eosetti, who had now joined the group. 
 " We found that the children were tracked 
 to their homes by spies, and thus many of 
 those who belonged to us were detected by 
 
 * See Note, page 125.
 
 " WHERE TWO OB THREE," Sfc. Ill 
 
 the Inquisition. Emissaries were imme- 
 diately sent to insist on the children being 
 sent to the Eomish schools. If the parents 
 obeyed, and they consented to attend the 
 mass themselves, by way of proving that 
 they had not joined the Protestant faith, 
 nothing more was said on the matter ; but 
 if not, the children were taken forcibly from 
 them, and the parents themselves im- 
 prisoned. With such power brought against 
 the poor and ignorant, you may easily 
 imagine that many relapses occurred ; and 
 sorely as it went against our consciences, or 
 rather against our wishes, we considered it 
 more prudent to close the school." 
 
 "But," said Eenee, with considerable 
 pride in her tone and manner, " if we have 
 been obliged to close our school for children, 
 we have on the other hand established one 
 for adults, which is succeeding beyond our 
 expectation. Near the Palace of the Con- 
 sandolo we have a mission, which is making 
 converts, and although they are far from
 
 112 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 being as numerous as those who leave us, 
 still we have sufficient success to show that 
 the wish to join us has still great strength/' 
 
 " Are the Inquisitors aware of the exis- 
 tence of this mission ?" inquired Ochino. 
 
 "Fortunately, up to the present time 
 they have remained in utter ignorance of 
 it," said Eenee, "and I trust they may 
 continue so till at any rate we shall have 
 gathered sufficient strength not to dread 
 their attacks." 
 
 " At the same time," put in the Judge, 
 " I am in daily fear that it will come under 
 the notice of the Inquisition. However, 
 Providence has favoured us up to the 
 present time, and that without our taking 
 the slightest pains to conceal the move- 
 ment." 
 
 While the Duchess conversed with great 
 animation with the group which had 
 gathered round her, a conversation scarcely 
 less animated was carried on among the 
 other guests, all touching on the difficulties
 
 " WHERE TWO OB THBEE," S'c 113 
 
 and dangers which surrounded the He- 
 formers in Ferrara. By degrees the con- 
 versation took a higher tone, and among 
 the younger men the question began to be 
 entertained, whether they would not be 
 justified in the eye of the law in offering 
 open resistance to the persecution they 
 were suffering, some maintaining that the 
 Inquisitors had far outstripped their powers 
 in taking from the civil judges the juris- 
 diction of all ecclesiastical cases, involving 
 the liberty and lives of the laity. In one 
 group especially this question was argued 
 with great vigour. Some advocated pas- 
 sive submission to the power of the In- 
 quisitors till Heaven should, in its own 
 good time, deliver them from the hand 
 of the persecutor; whilst others main- 
 tained that the acts of the Inquisitors 
 being illegal, all were justified in op- 
 posing them. At last one of the speakers 
 turned round to Camille Gurdon, and 
 asked him in what manner his country- 
 VOL. I. 8
 
 114 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 men would behave if treated with similar 
 injustice. 
 
 " I have some diffidence in answering 
 your question/' replied Camille. " I am 
 here a stranger receiving hospitality from 
 the authorities of Ferrara, and I hardly 
 know whether I should be justified in so 
 doing, as it might be considered that I was 
 putting before you a bad example. But al- 
 though I may be somewhat outstepping the 
 bounds of discretion, I will without hesita- 
 tion admit that in my own beloved country, 
 no matter whether Protestant or Catholic, 
 not for one week would a state of things be 
 allowed to exist such as at this moment 
 reigns in Ferrara. From our first union as 
 a nation to the present time, we have al- 
 ways resented any arbitrary or despotic in- 
 terference with our laws, and we have ever 
 felt sympathy with those suffering under 
 persecution." 
 
 " In what manner, then, would you 
 advise us to act ?"
 
 " WHERE TWO OB THREE," ^c. 115 
 
 " There I can give you no decided 
 answer," said Camille. 
 
 " Eut as a lawyer yourself you ought to 
 be able to advise us." 
 
 "Nay, you do me too much honour in 
 calling me a lawyer," said Gurdon. " Here 
 I profess myself to be only a student. 
 Why not put your question to one more 
 competent to answer it ?" he continued, 
 seeing Eosetti advancing towards them. 
 " Here comes your senior Judge, and one of 
 the most learned lawyers in It^ly. Why 
 not ask him for his opinion ?" 
 
 The eyes of the whole group now turned 
 on the Judge, and they made room for him 
 to join them as he, with Teresa leaning on 
 his arm, approached. 
 
 "You all look at me as if you had some 
 question to put to me," he said. " If so, 
 let me know what it is." 
 
 "We were debating whether in point of 
 law we should be justified in openly re- 
 sisting the Inquisition, and we appealed to 
 
 8—2
 
 116 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 Camille Gurdon for his opinion. He re- 
 fuses, however, to give it ns, fearing that 
 by so doing he might be considered guilty 
 of urging us to rebellion against the laws of 
 Ferrara, which he would not be justified in 
 doing, considering he is receiving hospi- 
 tality from the State." 
 
 "Gurdon is quite right in declining to 
 answer a question of the kind," replied the 
 Judge ; "for the interference of a foreigner 
 in the affairs of another country is always 
 looked upon with jealousy." 
 
 " But he referred us to you for an 
 opinion," said a law student v^ho was 
 present. 
 
 " And I must decline giving it," said 
 Rosetti, " beyond stating that I hold the 
 present behaviour of the Inquisition to be 
 utterly illegal. At the same time, between 
 holding that opinion and advising you to 
 open resistance there is a wide difference. 
 Setting apart the question of legality, the 
 imprudence of an attempt at open opposi-
 
 " WHEEE TWO OB THREE," ^c. 117 
 
 tion must be apparent. Not only in 
 Ferrara might it bring down the power of 
 the persecutor more terribly upon us, but it 
 might stimulate to further action the power 
 of the Inquisition in other cities in Italy 
 where our Protestant brethren are less 
 numerous than they are here, and their 
 means of defence comparatively smaller. No ; 
 be assured the best power for us to look to 
 for help in this cause is Heaven, though, I 
 suppose," he continued, turning to Camille 
 Gurdon, on whose handsome face a flush of 
 honest indignation was plainly perceptible, 
 "you sturdy Eepublicans think differently, 
 and would rise against the oppressor, no 
 matter how great the odds might be." 
 
 *' Candidly, Judge Eosetti, while respect- 
 ing your prudence, I must admit it is 
 hardly the sort of argument we are ac- 
 customed to hear in my country. There, 
 the greater the number of the persecutors 
 the greater and more energetic the re- 
 sistance of the persecuted, their energies
 
 118 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 and courage rising in proportion to the 
 strengtli of the oppressor. Pardon me if I 
 say it, but it would have pleased me more 
 had I heard you adopt a different style of 
 argument. You doubtless think me pre- 
 sumptuous in addressing with so much 
 candour a man of your experience and learn- 
 ing ; but trust me, it arises from no want of 
 respect on my part, but is due to the educa- 
 tion and example I have had continually 
 before my eyes from childhood upwards." 
 
 The young man spoke with so much 
 honest indis^nation that a murmur of ad- 
 miration arose from the whole group, which 
 had now considerably augmented in num- 
 bers, others being anxious to listen to the 
 arguments carried on. Gurdon seemed to 
 have inspired the younger portion of his 
 audience with no inconsiderable share of 
 his own animation ; nor was the admiration 
 confined solely to them. The ladies of the 
 group seemed equally pleased with his 
 address and manner, and none among them
 
 " WHERE TWO OB THBEEr Sfc. 119 
 
 more so than Teresa Eosetti, who gazed on 
 him with undisguised satisfaction. 
 
 " My dear young friend," said the Judge, 
 " believe me, no one present admires your 
 enthusiasm more than I do. But you must 
 remember that we have a different power 
 to contend with here from what you have 
 in Switzerland, and a system that will 
 answer with you would hardly succeed with 
 us. 
 
 " But why not first try the people before 
 coming to that conclusion ? Very possibly 
 you may find among them far more energy 
 than you calculate on." 
 
 "Camille," said the Judge, "you mis- 
 understand me. I have no fear of either 
 the courage or energy of my fellow-towns^ 
 men. Still I hold that, demoralized as we 
 are at the present moment, it would be 
 impolitic to attempt physically to place the 
 civil law over the ecclesiastical. That in 
 your own country you can quote many 
 brilliant examples of independent thought
 
 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 and action among tlie people is true, but 
 scarcely any more so than history records 
 of our citizens of Ferrara. Who sheltered 
 the fugitive Jews of Spain and Portugal 
 from their tormentors, and offered them an 
 asylum and protection more boldly and 
 resolutely than the citizens of Ferrara? 
 When in the time of Duke Ercole the 
 Great the Church claimed in Ferrara, as in 
 other cities, the right of sanctuary — that of 
 defending criminals who had rushed into 
 ecclesiastical buildings for protection and 
 shelter- — did not we refuse to allow it, even 
 when the threat of the greater excommuni- 
 cation was brought against us ? And 
 seeing our determined opposition, did not 
 the Pope himself give way ? What people 
 ever fought more resolutely against an 
 oppressor than those of Ferrara under the 
 late Duke Alfonso against Pope Julius II., 
 supported as he was by half Europe ? Go 
 further back, and when the Inquisitor, even 
 with the protection of the Marquis Azzo
 
 " WHUBE TWO OB THBEE," Slc. 121 
 
 d'Este, stole in the night, from its tomb in 
 the Cathedral, thirty years after his death, 
 the body of Armanno Pungilupo, whom 
 thev had declared heretic, with the inten- 
 tion of burning it in the Piazza, did not the 
 people of Ferrara attack the Inquisitor and 
 the Marquis, and publicly replace the body 
 in the Cathedral in spite of all the force 
 which could be brought against them? 
 No, my friend, believe me, native energy is 
 no more wanting among the Ferrarese than 
 among the noble-minded Swiss them- 
 selves." 
 
 The retirement of the Duchess to her 
 private apartments was accepted as a warn- 
 ing by the assembled guests that it was 
 time to leave the Palace. Nevertheless the 
 leave-taking was so long that a considerable 
 time elapsed before the corridor was clear. 
 The happy evening they had spent, and 
 the brotherly love their meeting had 
 elicited, seemed to act like a charm which 
 bound them together in a bond of unity it
 
 122 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 was painful to break. At last the order of 
 their leaving was determined on, for short 
 as the passage might be from the 
 Palace to their dwellings, it was attended 
 with considerable danger. Some of the 
 younger, and among them Camille Gurdon, 
 proposed they should leave in a body, so 
 that they might be a mutual protection to 
 one another in case they should meet any 
 of the city guards on their road. The 
 graver members, however, objecting to any 
 display of force, suggested that they should 
 leave in small parties, so that if they met 
 any of the spies they might not excite 
 suspicion. This plan was at last adopted, 
 and the company slowly and gradually 
 began to disperse, till none were left but 
 Camille Grurdon and the Judge Eosetti. 
 They remained some time longer conversing 
 with Teresa and another lady-in-waiting, 
 with whose services the Duchess had dis- 
 pensed in order that Teresa might remain 
 some time longer in her father's society.
 
 « WHERE TWO OB THREE:' &c. 123 
 
 At Jast they also took their leave, Camille pro- 
 posing to accompany the Judge to his home. 
 
 Eosetti and ^lis young friend met with 
 no impediment on their road. As they 
 proceeded they conversed together almost in 
 whispers, for fear of being overheard, on 
 the events of the evening, especially on the 
 preaching of Ochino. Camille appeared 
 delighted with his eloquence. "I have 
 heard," he said, "the best preachers in 
 Geneva, including our great leader, John 
 Calvin himself, but I never heard one who 
 approached Ochino in eloquence. No* 
 wonder the court of Eome are so anxious 
 for his apprehension. He is a host in 
 himself, and were he again to preach in the 
 Cathedral, and advocate the pure principles 
 of the Eeformation, he would convert all 
 Ferrara." 
 
 '' That he would do so if he could obtain 
 the opportunity," said the Judge, " is most 
 probable, but unfortunately such an experi- 
 ment is not possible. Were it known that
 
 124 THE INQUISITOFv. 
 
 lie is among us, he would immediately be 
 arrested. Even during his lecture, and 
 delighted as I was with it, ^^.was unable to 
 divest myself of the fear that among those 
 listening to him might be some traitor 
 that merely paid attention to his dis- 
 course for the purpose of denouncing him 
 to-morrow." 
 
 "But surely," said Gurdon, "the 
 Duchess would not allow him to be arrested 
 in her Palace, and while under her protec- 
 tion." 
 
 " That she would oppose his arrest by 
 every means in her power is certain," said 
 Eosetti ; " but I much fear in Ochino's case 
 her power would be but of little avail. I^o, 
 we must make what provision we can for 
 his departure, and that as quickly as 
 possible. Call on me early to-morrow 
 morning, and let us talk over the matter." 
 
 Gurdon promised he would do so, and 
 having now arrived at the apartments of the 
 Judge, the two friends separated.
 
 " WHERE TWO OB THBEEr &c. 125 
 
 Note. Page 96. — Although fragments of trans- 
 lations of the Holy Scriptures were to be found in 
 Italian libraries in the 15th century, the desire to read 
 them in the vernacular seemed to have spread in pro- 
 portion (even among the liberal Roman Catholics them- 
 selves) with the march of Protestantism. Rome, how- 
 ever, for some time strongly opposed the practice of 
 translating the Scriptures. Even before the time of 
 Luther or Calvin, Papavanti declared that the Sacred 
 Scriptures were being degraded by being translated 
 into the vulgar tongue. " Avirlire la sacra Scrittura 
 il tradurla in liiigua volga.re.'" Some theologians went 
 so far as first to preach their sermons in Latin, and 
 then afterwards translate them for the benefit of their 
 congregation into Italian. A Caraaldolese monk, 
 Nicolo Malermi, translated the Scriptures into Italiaii^ 
 His translation was printed in Venice in the year 1471. 
 It is said to have gone through as many as nine 
 editions in the 15th, and twelve editions in the 16th 
 century. A proof, Dr. Thomas M'Crie says, that the 
 Italians were addicted to reading the Scriptures in 
 their native tongue, if there did not exist among them 
 at the time a general desire for the word of God. 
 Bruccioli's was the first entire edition of the Holy 
 Scriptures translated into Italian. He dedicated it 
 by express permission to the Duchess Renee. It is 
 said that as many as seventeen editions of it were pub- 
 lished before its sale was prohibited by the Inquisition. 
 
 Note. Page 110. — Although a strong tradition still
 
 126 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 remains in Ferrara that Calvin during one of his visits 
 to that city, organized a school to instruct children in 
 the Protestant faith, and even taught in it himself, 
 the statement must be received with great caution. 
 True, a building near the spot where the Palace 
 of San Francesco formerly stood is pointed out 
 as Calvin's school, yet it is very doubtful whether 
 such was the fact. The principal authority against 
 it is the learned Luigi Cittadella, who is perhaps 
 more deeply versed in the antiquities and history of 
 Ferrara than any other modern writer.
 
 TERESA'S VISITOR. 127 
 
 CHAPTEE VI. 
 
 Teresa's visitor. 
 
 LTHOUGH it was still early when 
 Camille Gurdon called on the Judge 
 the next morning, he had already 
 seen several of those who had attended 
 Ochino's sermon the evening before. To 
 the Judge's inquiries whether they had met 
 with any impediments on their road home, 
 Camille replied that they had met with 
 none whatever, but that the streets had 
 seemed singularly quiet and deserted. One 
 or two had encountered the guard, but on 
 replying when challenged, they were suf- 
 fered to proceed unmolested. All seemed 
 much pleased with their meeting, and 
 augured that a greater amount of religious
 
 128 THE INQUISITOR, 
 
 freedom would be allowed them from the 
 fact, that so many could assemble and leave 
 without danger. So emboldened did they 
 feel, that several of them had requested 
 him to obtain permission from the Duchess 
 for another prayer-meeting to be held in 
 her Palace. Camille promised that he 
 would convey their wishes to the Judge 
 Rosetti, and implore him, should he see no 
 difficulty in the way, to apply to her High- 
 ness on the subject, as they considered he 
 had great influence with her. 
 
 "I will do so willingly,'' replied the 
 Judge, " although I am not certain it would 
 be unattended with danger. At the same 
 time a renewal of the peace and happiness 
 we enjoyed yesterday evening is too great a 
 temptation to be easily resisted. Still, if it 
 be done at all, we must lose no time about 
 it, as every day that Ochino remains in 
 Ferrara the greater his risk. Again, it is 
 impossible for me to wait on her Highness 
 this morning, as it is my turn of duty at
 
 TERESA'S VISITOR. 129 
 
 the Palace of Justice. But that difficulty 
 may be overcome, I think. T will imme- 
 diately write a letter to the Duchess, which 
 I will get you to take, asking her again to 
 grant the use of her chapel for our meeting, 
 as it is the earnest wish of so many of her 
 Protestant subjects in Ferrara. I will also 
 say in the letter that the bearer, should her 
 Highness require it, will give her further 
 information on the matter." 
 
 A gleam of satisfaction was plainly visible 
 on Camille's face when he heard the Judge's 
 proposition. 
 
 " But I am afraid," he said, " I shall not 
 be able to obtain an interview with the 
 Duchess. She might consider it an act of 
 presumption on my part were I to ask it." 
 
 "I did not propose that you should," 
 replied the Judge, who was now seated at 
 the table with the writing materials before 
 him. "I intend merely to suggest that 
 you would be able to give her the informa- 
 tion should she require it. Nevertheless it 
 
 VOL. I. 9
 
 130 THE INQUISITOR, 
 
 would give me great satisfaction if you 
 could contrive to obtain an interview with 
 her. Possibly/' he continued, " your better 
 way would be to ask to see my daughter, 
 and say that you have brought a message 
 from me. Give Teresa the letter, and 
 request her to place it in the hands of the 
 Duchess. After she has read it, should she 
 make any remark as to its contents, Teresa 
 can inform her that you are waiting for a 
 reply, and in all probability she will request 
 to see you. I think you will have no diffi- 
 culty in the matter. You are already well 
 known to her, and I have mentioned your 
 name in the letter. If you do see the 
 Duchess, do not fail to impress upon her 
 the danger Ochino is in, and the necessity 
 there is for taking early steps to allow him 
 to escape. That will arouse her to renewed 
 energy, and she will come sooner to a deter- 
 mination as to the assistance she intends 
 to afford him in establishing his mission 
 church in Zurich. There is the letter, but
 
 TERESA'S VISITOR. 131 
 
 before you go, tell me if you have thought 
 of any plan by which Ochino may effect his 
 escape to Venice." 
 
 "I have reflected but little on the 
 subject," replied Camille, "but that little 
 encourages me to think it may be done 
 without much difficulty or danger, that is 
 to say, provided few only are entrusted with 
 the secret." 
 
 " The fewer the better,'' said Eosetti. 
 "Have you then thought of a plan we could 
 adopt ?" 
 
 " I have," replied Camille, " and one in 
 which it would be difficult to have fewer con- 
 fidants. I propose hiring a boat, which shall 
 be moored on the river bank a little below 
 Mal-Albergo. As the current is at present 
 strong and the river high, one other rower 
 besides myself will be sufficient. I know a 
 man who will suit my purpose admirably. 
 He is a powerful, good-natured fellow, not 
 over intelligent, and knows the river j)er- 
 fectly. I can easily frame some excuse to 
 
 9-^
 
 132 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 him and say I wish to row down the river 
 a friend of mine, a Capuchin Friar (for 
 Ochino must again wear his disguise), who 
 is bound on a mission of mercy to some sick 
 person near Commacchio. At daybreak 
 when the city gates are opened, Ochino, 
 with his cowl covering his face, and his 
 wallet slung over his shoulder, can pass 
 out, while I will be in waiting for him by 
 the river- side, and once afloat, it will be 
 difficult indeed to overtake us." 
 
 " Well, Camille," said Eosetti, " in your 
 hands I leave the means for Ochino's escape 
 from Ferrara. The plan you propose seems 
 simple and feasible, and as far as I under- 
 stand the matter, may be carried out with 
 comparative security. At the same time, 
 if you should consider it advisable to 
 change it, or even make some alteration in 
 it, let me know, and I will assist jou as far 
 as is in my power. You had better now no 
 longer delay your visit to the Palace, and it 
 is also nearly time for me to take my seat
 
 TERESA'S VISITOR. 133 
 
 in Court. Meet me here this evening, and 
 let me know what has been decided on." 
 
 On arriving at the Palace, Camille 
 Gurdon had some little difficulty in getting 
 his message taken to Teresa Eosetti. On 
 his explaining that he came from the Judge 
 her father, and that he had a letter from 
 him to deliver, the porter asked him for it. 
 Camille, declined, however, to give it to any- 
 one but Teresa, saying that, in asking for a 
 personal interview with her, he was only 
 carrying out the instructions of the Judge. 
 A messenger was now sent to the private 
 room of the young Princesses with whom 
 Teresa then was. On receiving the message 
 Teresa inquired who had brought the letter, 
 and was told it was a young well-dressed 
 Signore, who spoke with a slight foreign 
 accent. Teresa, from the description, easily 
 identified the messenger as Camille, and a 
 slight blush suffused her face, which did not 
 escape the notice of the Princesses, or of two 
 elderly, discreet Catholic ladies, one of
 
 134 THE imUISITOB. 
 
 whom was a nun, wlio were present at the 
 time. On noticing the effect the message 
 had produced on Teresa, a significant 
 momentary glance passed from the elder 
 lady to the nun, while a good-humoured, 
 malicious smile, almost amounting to a 
 laugh, was indulged in by the young 
 Princesses. Poor Teresa, finding that the 
 eyes of her companions were fixed on her, 
 hesitated what to do. The Princess 
 Lucrezia, noticing her confusion, said 
 to her — 
 
 " Nay, my dear Teresa, do not keep the 
 foreign gentleman waiting." 
 
 " It was very kind of him to call at this 
 dull Palace of ours on a message from your 
 father," said the Princess Eleanora. " Pray, 
 make him welcome, even if he is the arch- 
 heretic Calvin himself." 
 
 " May I remind you," said the elderly 
 lady, " that any conversation or allusion to 
 matters of the kind are most distasteful to 
 his Highness the Duke ?'^
 
 TERESA'S VISITOR. 135 
 
 " Oh ! do not fear me, Donna Bonifazio. 
 I do not intend to enter into any theological 
 discussion. I have strictly obeyed his 
 Highness on that point, have I not, Teresa, 
 much as I love you? But once more, do 
 not keep your foreign friend waiting; he 
 vdll speak but lightly of our hospitality 
 when he returns to Greneva if you do, for I 
 suppose he comes from that city." 
 
 Teresa, perceiving that by going at once 
 she would escape the jests of her friends, 
 rose from her embroidery frame, and 
 requested that Madonna Bonifazio would be • 
 present at her interview with the messenger, 
 a request which was readily complied with. 
 Leaving the room together, they passed 
 through a corridor extending the whole 
 length of the building, the apartments of 
 the Princesses being at one extremity of 
 the Palace, the private apartments of the 
 Duchess in the centre, and the general public 
 reception rooms at the other end. In one of 
 these Teresa found CamiUe Grurdon. Being
 
 136 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 already fully convinced who her visitor really 
 was, she advanced without hesitation to 
 meet him, while Madonna Bonifazio, once 
 in his presence, discreetly remained out of 
 ear-shot. Camille explained to her the pur- 
 port of the letter he had brought from her 
 father, and his wish that if possible lie 
 should have an interview with the 
 Duchess. 
 
 •' Grive me the letter," said Teresa, '' and I 
 will immediately convey it to the Duchess. 
 I have no doubt whatever she will grant 
 you the interview you desire." 
 
 Camille gave her the letter, and Teresa 
 continued, turning to Madonna Bonifazio, 
 " This gentleman has brought with him 
 a letter for her Highness, and wishes 
 for an interview with her. I will mj^self 
 take her the letter and bring back the reply, 
 and if you will kindly remain here in the 
 meantime, I have no doubt I shall be able 
 to return in a few moments." 
 
 Madonna Bonifazio now advanced and
 
 TERESA'S VISITOR. 137 
 
 entered into conversation with the young 
 Swiss on subjects of common interest, 
 taking care, although she believed him to 
 be a Protestant, not to touch on the for- 
 bidden subject of religion. The pair con- 
 versed together for some time, the lady 
 evidently pleased with the courteous manner 
 and language of the young foreigner. At 
 last they were interrupted by Teresa, who 
 returned with a message from the Duchess, 
 requesting to see Camille, and the three 
 then left the room together, Teresa and 
 Camille entering the apartments of the* 
 Duchess, while Madonna Bonifazio con- 
 tinued onwards till she had reached those of 
 the Princesses. On her entrance they both 
 rose to meet her and eagerly asked for a 
 description of the gentleman who had called 
 to see Teresa. Madonna Bonifazio, how- 
 ever, seemed but little inclined to gratify 
 their curiosity, merely saying that he was 
 evidently a very courteous gentleman, whom 
 the Duchess, when she heard he had arrived,
 
 138 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 requested to see. Nor, in spite of the rigid 
 cross-examination of the young ladies, could 
 they obtain anything more from her ; and 
 the subject for the time dropped, though 
 evidently wit li out the curiosity of the 
 Princesses being satisfied. They tacitly 
 resolved to question Teresa, when they 
 should see her. Shortly afterwards they 
 left the room to seek their own chambers, 
 and the nun rose from her seat to follow 
 them. The feminine weakness of curiosity 
 however, was as rife in the bosom of the 
 nun as in those of the young ladies, 
 although she had asked no questions in their 
 presence. Passing Madonna Bonifazio, she 
 said to her, in an undertone, " Who was 
 Teresa's visitor ?" 
 
 " I do not know more of him than this," 
 was the reply — " if he is an emissary from 
 Calvin — he is evidently from Geneva — 
 and we are to have many such visitors, the 
 sooner Father Pelletario returns to the 
 Palace the better."
 
 TERESA'S VISITOR. 139 
 
 On being introduced to the Duchess, 
 Camille Gurdon was received by her with 
 great condescension. 
 
 " I have read your father's letter," she 
 said to Teresa, " and I hardly know what 
 reply to make him. He may be perfectly 
 certain that my chapel is at the service of 
 our brethren should they require it, but I 
 much doubt whether it would be prudent to 
 have another prayer-meeting so soon. Have 
 you heard,*' she continued, turning to 
 Camille Gurdon, " whether those who 
 attended here yesterday evening received 
 any annoyance on their road home ?" 
 
 "I have seen several," was the reply, 
 " and in no case did any of them receive the 
 slightest molestation.'' 
 
 " I am most happy to hear it," said 
 the Duchess. " However, I will speak 
 to our Eeverend Pastor Ochino, and ask 
 his advice. All things considered, I think 
 it would be better to delay another prayer- 
 meeting, for a day or two."
 
 140 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 " But pardon me, your Highness," said 
 Camille, " I understood that his stay in 
 Ferrara was to be very short." 
 
 '^ The longer he remains with us the 
 better," said iienee, " so that he can do it 
 in safety. While he keeps in the Palace there 
 will be no danger of his being recognised, 
 as none of the Catholic ladies of my court 
 saw him when he was last in Ferrara." 
 
 " But is he not in danger of being recog- 
 nised by the Father Pelletario ?" remarked 
 Cam.ille. "Formerly, I understand, they 
 were very intiniate." 
 
 '* The Father Pelletario is at present 
 with the Duke my husband at Belriguardo," 
 was Eenee's reply, " and it is uncertain 
 when he will return to the city. You have 
 not heard the subject spoken of, Teresa, 
 have you ?" 
 
 " I heard Madonna Bonifazio say the 
 other day that she had received a message 
 from the Father Pelletario, stating that 
 most probably he should remain at Belri-
 
 TERESA'S VISITOR. 141 
 
 guardo till the Duke's return to the city, 
 and that they would arrive together." 
 
 " I do not expect his Highness will re- 
 turn before the end of the week," said 
 Eenee, " therefore we need be in no hurry 
 for a day or two. I will talk the matter of 
 the next prayer-meeting over with our 
 Pastor, and let you know his reply. But 
 now," she continued, addressing herself to 
 Camille, " did I rightly understand you 
 were a native of Geneva?" 
 
 " I am, your Highness." 
 
 " Are you acquainted with our great 
 leader John Calvin ?" 
 
 " I have spoken to him but once or 
 twice," said Gurdon, "though I know many 
 of his intimate associates, and have heard 
 him preach frequently." 
 
 "Are you acquainted with any one re- 
 siding in the same house with him?'' 
 
 " Yes, more than one." 
 
 " Might I trust you, then," said Eenee, 
 "to convey to him a letter from me? I
 
 142 THE INQUISITOB. 
 
 received one from that good man a few- 
 days since, in which he complains that I do 
 not write to him, and he trusts I am not 
 getting lukewarm in the faith. Now I 
 have written to him several times lately, 
 and he evidently has not received my 
 letters. Might I trust in you ?" 
 
 "You may, your Highness,'* said Camille, 
 "as implicitly as in yourself. Confide to 
 me your letter, and my death alone shall 
 prevent his receiving it." 
 
 "Call on me this evening, then," said 
 Renee, "and the letter shall be ready for 
 you. If you succeed in transmitting it to 
 him, you will do me a great favour. But 
 now tell me, has any plan been suggested 
 for our Eeverend Pastor Ochino to leave 
 Ferrara in safety ?" 
 
 " I have conceived a plan by which I 
 think he may do so without difficulty or 
 danger," said Camille, " and one in which I 
 have not to fear the indiscretion or 
 treachery of any one ;" and he then nar-
 
 TERESA'S VISITOR. 143 
 
 u 
 
 rated to the Duchess the plan he proposed 
 adopting, on which he was much compli- 
 mented by her Highness. 
 
 The interview continued but a short time 
 longer, when the Duchess permitted Camille 
 Gurdon to depart, requesting him to call in 
 the evening for the letter she wished to for- 
 ward to the great Eeformer in Geneva. 
 On leaving the room Teresa conducted 
 Camille, as far as the ante-chamber. Be- 
 fore quitting her, he said — 
 
 " Do you think I shall have any difficulty 
 this evening in being admitted into the pre- 
 sence of the Duchess ?" 
 
 " None whatever," said Teresa. " You 
 may rest assured every facility will be 
 shown you." 
 
 " Still," said Camille, " I should hardly 
 like to be conducted to her Highness by 
 any one in whom I could not positively 
 confide. The commission she has given me 
 is a somewhat difficult one, and the fewer 
 entrusted with the secret the better.
 
 144 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 ^ 
 
 Would you object to be present at the 
 time? You have already heard her men- 
 tion her wish, and it would be advisable 
 that no one else should know it. Now do 
 oblige me." 
 
 " If you wish it I will be present," said 
 Teresa, slightly colouring. "But now T 
 must leave you to attend on the Duchess, 
 so good-bye till evening." 
 
 Teresa then left him, and returned to the 
 room she had just quitted.
 
 A DANGEROUS COMMISSION. 115 
 
 CHAPTEE YII. 
 
 A DANGEROUS COMMISSION. 
 
 N the afternoon of the same day, 
 after the duties of Judge Eosetti at 
 the Palace of Justice were over, 
 Camille Grurdon related to him the inter- 
 view he had had in the morning with 
 Eenee, saying how she was unable at the 
 moment to give any decided answer as to 
 allowing another prayer-meeting to be held 
 in the chapel till she had spoken to Ochino 
 on the subject. He further informed Eosetti 
 that the Jesuit Father was then absent, and 
 not expected to arrive in Ferrara till the 
 Duke himself returned, and that no other 
 person in the Palace would be able to re- 
 cognise him. 
 
 VOL. I. 10
 
 146 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 " So far that is fortunate," said the 
 Judge, " and it relieves my mind from a 
 considerable amount of anxiety. Her 
 Highness did not state when she would be 
 able to give an answer respecting the 
 prayer-meeting ?" 
 
 " She did not," said Gurdon, " but re- 
 quested me to call on her again this 
 evening, when very possibly I shall have 
 her reply. Her Highness also spoke on 
 another subject," he continued, alluding to 
 Eenee's letter to Calvin, " which doubtless 
 she would have no objection to speak of 
 to you ; but, as I have not yet received 
 her authority, you will pardon me if I do 
 not mention it. I have no doubt this 
 evening she will authorize me to confide 
 it to you." 
 
 " You are quite right, Camille," said the 
 Judge, " not to divulge her secret till you 
 have her authority for doing so. But I 
 trust you will be on the alert as to any 
 rumours respecting Ochino's presence in
 
 A DANGEROUS COMMISSION. 147 
 
 Ferrara, and have the boat in readiness, 
 that he may be able, in case of danger, to 
 depart at an hour's notice. 
 
 Although the apartments of the Princesses 
 were separate from those occupied by the 
 Duchess, the most perfect freedom of 
 access existed between them. Eenee, as 
 before stated, was tenderly attached to her 
 daughters, and the love they bore their 
 mother was that of devoted and affec- 
 tionate children. Yet a singular feature 
 existed in their family love. Tenderly 
 attached as they were, and happy in each 
 other's society, that great bond of family 
 love — unity of religious opinions — was 
 utterly wanting. It was their custom to 
 meet together in the apartments of the 
 Duchess each afternoon. Eeligion was then 
 to them all a proscribed subject, under 
 penalty of the absolute separation of the 
 mother from her daughters ; so that while 
 the warmest display of family love was 
 developed in their meetings, each had to 
 
 10—^
 
 148 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 put a guard on her tongue lest the subject 
 held most dear by her — religion — might 
 come to her lips. And this must have been 
 the more painful to them, as the Princesses 
 were as ardently Roman Catholic as their 
 mother was Protestant. At these meetings, 
 on other subjects, the most unrestrained free- 
 dom of conversation prevailed. The some- 
 what taciturn habits of Renee would then 
 relax, and she would enter, with the most per- 
 fect effusion of heart, into the details of her 
 daughters' conversation, — into descriptions 
 of their amusements, and consultations on 
 dress — a subject which Benee, Frenchwoman 
 as she was, generally appeared to hold but in 
 slight estimation — and join in the innocent 
 gossiping of her children with an eagerness 
 which formed a singular contrast to her 
 ordinary staid and somewhat reserved man- 
 ner. In these afternoon re-unions the 
 gaiety of heart developed in Eenee and 
 her daughters seemed also to communicate 
 itself to the attendants, and Madonna Boni-
 
 A DANGEROUS COMMISSION. 149 
 
 fazio, who accompanied the Princesses (neither 
 Sister Laura, the nun, nor Father Pelletario, 
 the Jesuit confessor, being ever admitted 
 into Benee's presence), and Donna Ponte, 
 an elderly Protestant Swiss from one of 
 the Italian cantons, would then con- 
 verse together with the Duchess and her 
 children with perfect friendship and good- 
 feeling. 
 
 On the afternoon in question, a slight 
 difference was observed in the manner in 
 which the conversation was carried on. 
 The Duchess, intead of as usual occupying 
 herself with her daughters, conversed prin- 
 cipally with the two elderly ladies. This 
 was probably due to the conduct of the two 
 Princesses, who had tried to draw Teresa 
 into a corner of the room, overwhelming 
 her with questions, half serious, half jesting, 
 on the handsome foreigner who had called 
 in the morning. All these Teresa, possibly 
 not displeased at the insinuations of her 
 companions that the real object of the
 
 150 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 young foreigner's visit was herself and not 
 their mother, parried as she best could; 
 nor did she escape from her tormentors 
 till a short time before the meeting broke 
 up, when the Duchess called her daughters 
 to her, and after conversing with them for 
 some time on ordinary topics, dismissed 
 them and retired to her own room, taking 
 Teresa with her. 
 
 " I do not feel very well this evening," 
 she said to Teresa ; " my head aches, and 
 my eyes smart. I have probably over- 
 fatigued them by writing this long letter. 
 I am not sure whether I shall be well 
 enough to give an audience to your father's 
 friend when he calls this evening, but I fear 
 not. In that case, you had better see him 
 yourself, Teresa. If you do, pray im- 
 press upon him the necessity of using great 
 caution, so that the letter may not mis- 
 carry." 
 
 " If your Highness orders it, of course 
 it is not for me to disobey," said Teresa,
 
 A DANGEROUS COMMISSION. 151 
 
 " but at the same time " and here she 
 
 stopped short, as if afraid to conclude the 
 sentence. 
 
 " I think I understand you, Teresa," said 
 Eenee. " You doubt the propriety of your 
 seeing him alone, and I compliment you 
 on it. But I had no intention of proposing 
 it to you. You can have one of the ladies- 
 in-waiting with you, so that no miscon- 
 struction can be placed on your inter- 
 view." 
 
 " But in that case," said Teresa, " your 
 secret would be confided to another." 
 
 " Hardly so," said the Duchess. " Take 
 with you Donna Ponte ; you can speak 
 French fluently, and she does not under- 
 stand a word of the language. Converse 
 then in French, and she will be ignorant 
 of the object of your interview." 
 
 " Should she inquire," said Teresa, " what 
 answer shall I make her ?" 
 
 " Eefer her to me, that is all you have 
 to do. Now, do not fail to impress upon
 
 152 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 the youth the absoluts necessity there is 
 that he should conduct himself with great 
 discretion in the matter, and that as much 
 for his own safety — or more so perhaps — 
 than mine ; as, should he be discovered, 
 but little mercy would await him at the 
 hands of the Inquisitor. 
 
 " There is no occasion for me to dwell on 
 the last reason," said Teresa, somewhat 
 warmly. " My father's friend, Camille 
 Grurdon, requires no better stimulus for 
 energy and secrecy than the wish to obey 
 your Highness, and the success of our 
 cause." 
 
 "Well," said Eenee, smiHng at the 
 earnestness of the girl's manner, " if I 
 have done him an injustice I regret it. 
 Since, then, I have so devoted a servant, 
 tell him I rely implicitly on his discretion ; 
 that I feel persuaded he will carry out his 
 commission with tact and energy. Tell 
 him if he succeeds I will give him a re- 
 ward that shall prove to him my gratitude
 
 A DANGEB0U8 COMMISSION. 153 
 
 for the service he has done me. Now take 
 the letter, Teresa, and meet him when he 
 comes, for I feel I shall not be able to 
 see him myself." 
 
 Teresa took the letter and retired to her 
 own room; and when there, attempted to 
 think over, with a cool brain, the events of 
 the day, and especially her conversation 
 with the Duchess and her daughters in the 
 afternoon. Although her conversation with 
 the Princesses was in reality carried on 
 more in jest than earnest, it had left a some- 
 what deeper impression on the mind of the 
 young girl than she herself perhaps would 
 willingly have allowed. Again, it must be 
 admitted that she had already conceived a con- 
 siderable amount of admiration for the hand- 
 some and talented youngSwiss. But although 
 she had met him often, little conversation had 
 ever passed between them, either her father 
 or some female friend having invariably 
 been present. Teresa's regard for the young 
 fellow, however, had already reached that
 
 154 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 point when simple admiration is about to 
 ripen into a warmer feeling, wliich lier con- 
 versation with the Princesses that afternoon 
 had tended considerably to develop. Again, 
 there was another point which caused her 
 much consideration. What could be the 
 reward which the Duchess intended to pre- 
 sent to Camille should he succeed in the 
 commission he had undertaken ? There was 
 a mystery about it she could not unravel. 
 Could she have meant by it that Camille 
 
 Gurdon 
 
 Before the thought had been perfectly 
 formed Teresa had already regretted it, and 
 felt angry with herself for having begun to 
 entertain it. But in spite of her reasoning 
 she could not divest herself of the impres- 
 sion that the Duchess had uttered the words 
 with peculiar significance in her tone and 
 manner. Then again Teresa rejected the 
 idea, and then again it recurred to her, and 
 thus alternately doubting and resolving the 
 time passed till evening had closed in ; and
 
 A DANGEROUS COMMISSION. 155 
 
 then she began to collect her wits for the 
 interview with Camille, postponing for 
 future consideration the question whether 
 the Duchess intended to present the young 
 Swiss with her hand in case he should suc- 
 cessfully carry out the commission intrusted 
 to him. 
 
 Teresa now went to the apartments of 
 Donna Ponte, to request her presence at the 
 interview with Camille Gurdon. For some 
 time Donna Ponte objected, as she did not 
 consider it prudent on the part of Teresa . 
 to hold an interview with so young a man, 
 and it was only after Teresa had shown her 
 the letter of the Duchess (taking good care 
 not to let her see the superscription), and 
 assuring her that it was by desire of the 
 Duchess she was to meet Camille, and that 
 her Highness had wished her (Donna Ponte) 
 to be present, that she consented, and they 
 descended together into the large hall, where 
 members of the household were accustomed 
 to meet strangers who called on them. On
 
 156 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 their way thither a servant met them, who 
 informed them that the foreign gentleman 
 who had called in the. morning had arrived, 
 and wished to be presented to the Duchess ; 
 but as her Highness was indisposed that 
 evening, he had come for instructions on 
 the subject. He received for answer that 
 the stranger was to be shown into the hall, 
 and shortly afterwards Teresa and her com- 
 panion entered, and found Camille awaiting 
 them. Teresa immediately advanced to meet 
 him. 
 
 " Her Highness," she said in French, 
 " has requested me to see you, as it 
 is not convenient at present for her to 
 receive you. She told me to give you 
 this letter, and impress on you the neces- 
 sity of using great caution in forward- 
 ing it to its destination. I suppose I 
 may inform her that you will willingly 
 do so?" 
 
 "Most willingly,'*' said Camille. "Tell 
 her she ma}^ rest positively certain it shall
 
 A DANGEROUS COMMISSION. 157 
 
 be forwarded. And is there no commission 
 I can execute for you ?" 
 
 " None/' said Teresa, somewhat surprised 
 at the question, " beyond carrying out faith- 
 fully the wishes of her Highness." 
 
 " As I said before, that shall faithfully 
 be done. It would increase the pleasure, 
 however, if I had a commission also to 
 execute for you." 
 
 " I have none," said Teresa, with some- 
 thing like agitation in her voice, " except 
 requesting you to give my love to my dear, 
 father." 
 
 Camille remained silent for a few mo- 
 ments, and then said to her in a still lower 
 tone of voice, — 
 
 " Oh ! how I wish I could have but a 
 few moments' conversation with you alone !" 
 
 "For what purpose?" said Teresa, as- 
 suming an air of surprise. 
 
 " I cannot tell you," he said, looking 
 towards Donna Ponte, who, finding they 
 were speaking French, had retired with
 
 158 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 something of ill-linmour to some distance, 
 so far, in fact, that she could scarcely be 
 seen, for although the hall was lighted up 
 by a brazen lamp in the centre, its rays 
 were hardly sufficient to illumine so large 
 a space effectually Teresa was silent for 
 a moment, and then said, with considerable 
 hesitation in her voice, — 
 
 " You can speak if you wish. My com- 
 panion understands no Trench." 
 
 "Even if that were the case," replied 
 Camille, "I have hardly the courage to 
 address you on the subject I wish. It is 
 on the admiration I have for you, which 
 began from the first moment I saw you, 
 and which has gone on increasing since. 
 In pity's sake tell me what I am 
 to do." 
 
 "I can listen to no conversation of the 
 kind," said Teresa, " without first receiving 
 permission from my father and her High- 
 ness." 
 
 " Will you allow me, then, to speak to
 
 A DANGEROUS COMMISSION. 159 
 
 your father ?" said Camille, breathless with 
 anxiety. 
 
 " I have no right to forbid you," said 
 Teresa, puzzled what answer to make : " you 
 can if you please." And then assuming 
 more courage, she continued, '' But T cannot 
 allow you to speak more with me now, nor 
 will I have any further conversation with 
 you on the subject nntil you have spoken 
 to my father." 
 
 " Answer me but one question," said 
 Camille, "and I will obey you. May I 
 tell your father you gave me permission to 
 speak to him ?" 
 
 " No, certainly not," said Teresa ; " you 
 must take it on your own responsibility." 
 
 " May I hope," asked Camille. " that you 
 wish me success in my interview with your 
 father?" 
 
 " I will not say another word on the sub- 
 ject," said Teresa, " and if you will not go, 
 I must leave you, and that will appear un- 
 courteous."
 
 ] 60 THE INQ UISITOB. 
 
 " I must obey you, then," said Camille, 
 sighing. And then taking her hand and 
 kissing it respectfully, he left the room. 
 
 As soon as he had quitted them, Donna 
 Ponte said in a tone of ill-hum our to Teresa, 
 " I hardly think it was particularly civil to 
 me, or proper hearing in a young girl, to 
 converse with that stranger in French, 
 knowing, as you did, that I do not under- 
 stand the language. In my time young 
 girls behaved very differently. 'Not a word 
 ever passed between one and a young man 
 without some staid elderly lady being pre- 
 sent at the time." 
 
 " I told you," said Teresa, " that it was 
 the express wish of the Duchess that you 
 should be present at this interview, nor 
 would I have received the stranger unless 
 you had been there. What you say about 
 my incivility in speaking French arose 
 from no fault of mine. I had the direct 
 instructions of her Highness on the matter." 
 
 Donna Ponte made a gesture of doubt of
 
 A DANGEROUS COMMISSION. 161 
 
 SO marked a description, that Teresa could 
 not fail to notice it. 
 
 '' I told you the truth," she said angrily, 
 " and to morrow, in the presence of the 
 Duchess, I will get her to confirm what I 
 say. At the same time, I don't like to be 
 treated with incivility or doubt by you. 
 That you are my senior, I admit, but not 
 my superior." 
 
 Teresa, finding that Donna Ponte was on 
 the pointof making an angry reply, left her, 
 and walked rapidly to her own room, nor 
 did she leave it again that evening. 
 
 VOL. I. J J
 
 162 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 CHAPTEE VIII. 
 
 ORIZ. 
 
 N the morning after the Duchess 
 Kenee had despatched her letter to 
 Calvin, a stranger in the dress of a 
 Dominican monk, attended by two servants 
 and three baggage mules, arrived at the 
 convent of the Corpus Domini, and requested 
 to see the Superior, Father Pabrizio. The 
 lay-brother who received the stranger infor- 
 formed him that the Eeverend Father was at 
 that time much occupied in his private 
 room, and had given orders that no one 
 should disturb him. 
 
 *'He will make an exception in my 
 case," said the Dominican. "Pray take 
 my message to him, and then see that
 
 OBIZ. 163 
 
 my servants and mules are properly accom- 
 modated." 
 
 The lay-brotbier for a moment hesitated 
 what to do, as the instructions he had re- 
 ceived from his Superior were imperative, and 
 Father Fabrizio, who at that time acted as 
 the chief Inquisitor in Ferrara, was not a man 
 likely to allow his orders to be broken with 
 impunity. Still there was a calm self-posses- 
 sion in the stranger which puzzled the lay- 
 brother very much. Although he spoke in a 
 calm and almost subdued tone, he seemed to 
 possess great determination of purpose, and 
 his manner, though quiet and courteous, was 
 still of a description which showed he not only 
 was accustomed to command, but to be obeyed. 
 
 " Might I ask your name, Eeverend 
 Father?" said the lay-brother. "I fear 
 unless I take it to Father Fabrizio there is 
 but little chance of his seeing 3''ou, but far 
 greater probability of my displeasing him." 
 
 " There will be no occasion to tell him 
 my name," said the monk ; " he has been 
 
 11—2
 
 164 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 expecting me for some time. Say to him that 
 I only arrived this morning from Paris." 
 
 The lay-brother then left the room, and 
 shortly afterwards returned with the 
 Superior of the convent, who received the 
 stranger with every mark of profound res- 
 pect. He then invited him to accompany 
 him to a private room which had been pre- 
 pared for him, much to the surprise of the 
 lay brother, who looked upon the Superior 
 of his convent with great reverence, and he 
 was naturally somewhat puzzled to know 
 who the individual could be who was re- 
 ceived with so much respect, justly con- 
 cluding that he must be a man of the 
 highest importance. Nor was he mistaken 
 in his conclusion. The stranger was none 
 other than the celebrated Oriz, than whom, 
 though his title was no higher than that of 
 a Doctor in theology, few of the College of 
 Cardinals possessed greater power. This 
 man had been appointed by Henry II. of 
 Prance, his " Inquisitor of the Faith."
 
 OBIZ. 165 
 
 When first he commenced his duties he exer- 
 cised them for some time with considerable 
 moderation. Tradition says of him, that he 
 was then of a rather jovial good-natured dis- 
 position. If true, all traces of it were com- 
 pletely lost at the time of our narrative. 
 It is even recorded of him* that in the year 
 ] 534, when he was sent as Inquisitor to 
 Sancerre to search for heretics, the inhabi- 
 tants, aware of his fondness for good cheer, 
 treated him with so much hospitality, that 
 although Protestantism had really taken 
 great hold in the neighbourhood, he repor- 
 ted them to the Lieutenant Criminel as a 
 very good sort of people. He was then 
 as Dr. M'Crie says, but young, and had 
 not yet tasted blood. f Afterwards, spurred 
 on by the Court of Rome, he carried on 
 his labours with so much rigour, that he 
 became at last one of the most cruel per- 
 
 * Beze, " Hist, des Eglises Kef. de France." 
 + " Reformation in Italy."
 
 166 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 secutors of the Protestants that ever dis- 
 srraced the Eomish Church in France. To 
 such an extent did he carry his spirit of 
 persecution, that although named by his 
 Majesty Henry II. as Grand Inquisitor of 
 France, the French papists were disgusted at 
 his conduct, and insisted on his quitting the 
 kingdom . For some time the King refused to 
 listen to his people, but at last finding the 
 discontent at the presence of the Inquisitor 
 becoming prevalent in all classes of society, 
 his Majesty determined to send Oriz on a 
 mission to Ferrara for the double purpose of 
 bringing the Duchess Eenee back to the 
 Eomish faith, and by his superior energy 
 and inflexible cruelty, to exterminate heresy 
 in the strongest hold it had hitherto 
 obtained in Italy. 
 
 As soon as they were alone, the Superior, 
 in the same tone of marked respect which he 
 had shown on first meeting the stranger, 
 said — 
 
 " I hardly expected you so soon, Eeverend
 
 OBIZ. 167 
 
 Father. You must excuse me if I was not 
 prepared to receive you." 
 
 "Make no apologies," said Oriz. "I 
 have arrived two days earlier than I taught 
 you to expect, from the letter I forwarded to 
 you; but understanding that my presence 
 was much needed in Ferrara, I have made 
 greater haste than I otherwise should have 
 done." 
 
 " That your presence is much needed in 
 Ferrara is perfectly true„ It gives me also 
 much pleasure to be able to resign the direc- , 
 tion of our Holy Office into liands far more 
 experienced than my own. But before we 
 touch on that subject," the Superior conti- 
 nued, " allow me to order some refreshment, 
 as you must doubtless be fatigued with your 
 journey." 
 
 "Not at alV^ said Oriz. "I reached 
 Mal-Albergo yesterday evening, where I 
 remained for the night, and crossed the 
 river this morning. The letter I received 
 from you in Milan, tells me that for some
 
 168 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 time past little progress has been made in 
 Ferrara in exterminating the pestilential 
 heresy which afflicts it: is that the case?" 
 
 " It is/' said the Superior. " And yet this 
 has arisen from no want of zeal on my part 
 or the part of those connected with me." 
 
 " From what cause does it arise then?" 
 inquired Oriz. 
 
 "From the power her Highness still exer- 
 cises over the Duke. Again, you must not 
 imagine the inaction which has lately been 
 observed has been without other cause. 
 Having received \he intelligence of your 
 expected arrival, I thought it better to let 
 things remain in abeyance till I met you, 
 contenting myself with seeing that heresy 
 made no head. My principal reason for' 
 this inaction was, that as her Highness is 
 still indisposed to attend mass, and exerts 
 herself for the protection of the heretics, I 
 allowed her to carry out her designs with 
 comparative impunity a little longer, 
 judging that by the time of your arrival
 
 OBIZ. 169 
 
 we should be better able to point out to you 
 those who are the principal supporters of 
 the errors of Calvinism in our city, and thus 
 place in your hands information which it 
 would have been difficult to obtain had we 
 carried on our efforts with the same un- 
 flinching severity we did some months 
 since." 
 
 " And have you succeeded ?" 
 
 " I may say we have, and to an extent we 
 had hardly calculated on. We have dis- 
 covered, and in fact intercepted, many letters 
 written from her Highness to the arch- 
 heretic Calvin, and thereby we have become 
 acquainted with many names of individuals 
 tainted with heresy which we should not 
 otherwise have known." 
 
 " Have you placed these intercepted 
 letters before his Highness ?" inquired 
 Oriz. 
 
 " I have not," said the Superior. " I 
 thought it better to await your arrival ; the 
 more so as I will candidly admit that the
 
 170 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 Duke, although a true son of the Church in 
 all spiritual matters, and of a fidelity not to 
 be suspected, receives with considerable 
 coolness, if not anger, any complaints of the 
 conduct of the Duchess. You, with your 
 superior authority, will, 1 trust, be able to 
 remove that impediment. But I have some 
 most pleasing intelligence to give you. The 
 renegade Capuchin, Bernardino Ochino, is at 
 this moment in Ferrara.'' 
 
 " Has he been arrested ?" asked Oriz. 
 
 " He has not." 
 
 "And why not?" 
 
 " Because,'" said the Superior, " he is 
 residing in the Palace of San Francesco, 
 under the protection of the Duchess ; but 
 we have him there as securely as if he were 
 at this moment locked up and in chains in 
 one of our own dungeons. Our agents 
 watch the Palace night and day. Not an 
 individual can enter or leave it without our 
 knowledge, although no one residing in the 
 Palace or those entering it imagine they are
 
 OBIZ. 171 
 
 watched. So complete is the system adopted, 
 that it would be impossible for even a child 
 to leave it without our being informed." 
 
 "Have you the names of those who 
 attended the prayer-meeting there the other 
 evening ?" said Oriz. 
 
 " I have," said the Superior, evidently 
 much surprised that Oriz was aware of the 
 prayer-meeting having taken place. Possibly 
 Oriz noticed the expression of surprise on 
 the countenance of the Superior, but he 
 made no remark. 
 
 "And you are certain you may depend 
 upon the fidelity of those of your agents 
 employed within the Palace ?" 
 
 " I am as certain of their fidelity as I am 
 of my own, and all, of any ability, have been 
 removed from the suite of the Duchess. 
 Those who now remain with her are princi- 
 pally aged women, whose intellects are none 
 of the brightest, with the exception of a 
 young girl, the daughter of Biagio Eosetti, 
 the senior Judge, who is also tainted with
 
 172 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 heresy, and who, like her father, might be 
 convicted of the crime to-morrow should 
 proceedings be taken out against her. We 
 have even gone so far as to obtain the 
 removal of the tutor of the young Princesses 
 the celebrated Francesco Porta da Creta, 
 from merely the suspicion that he had im- 
 bibed heretical notions, and have obtained 
 the appointment for the Jesuit, Father 
 Pelletario/' 
 
 " Why is that young girl allowed to 
 remain ?" asked Oriz. 
 
 " Partly because we did not wish to have 
 the appearance of none but aged or infirm 
 women being in attendance on the Duchess, 
 who, I may mention, has resolutely refused 
 to allow any one who attends mass, or the 
 confessional, to be about her person, and 
 partly because the two Princesses have con- 
 ceived a strong affection for the girl. I trust 
 you see no objection to the arrangement?" 
 
 "None whatever,'^ said Oriz. "If the 
 two Princesses are well instructed in their
 
 OBIZ. 173 
 
 religious duties, as I have no doubt they 
 are, there will be little danger to their 
 souls, while we may hope — in time at least 
 — that their double interest may act on the 
 mind of the heretic girl. But now tell me 
 if the Duke and Father Pelletario have re- 
 turned to Ferrara ?" 
 
 "Not that I know of," said the Superior; 
 " but I hardly think it probable." 
 
 "So far to the contrary," said Oriz, "that 
 it is more than probable they are at this 
 moment arrived. When I reached Mai-' 
 Albergo yesterday evening, aad found that 
 the Duke was at Belriguardo, my first care 
 was immediately to despatch a messenger 
 to him, humbly requesting that he would 
 grant me an interview, and that on the 
 receipt of his answer I should make pre- 
 parations to wait on him without delay." 
 
 "I should think then," said the Superior, 
 " that his Highness will await your arrival 
 at Belriguardo." 
 
 "I hardly agree with you," said Oriz,
 
 174 THE INQUISITOB, 
 
 coolly. " I think it more probable that his 
 Highness will have left Belriguardo this 
 morning to join me in Ferrara, and the 
 distance is not so far but that he may have 
 already arrived. You will greatly oblige 
 me by sending a messenger to the Este 
 Palace to know whether it is the case." 
 
 The Superior now left the room and 
 despatched a messenger to the Castle, to 
 inquire if the Duke had arrived from Belri- 
 guardo, but before he had returned with an 
 answer, an officer of the Duke reached the 
 convent with a message that his Highness 
 impatiently awaited in the Este Palace an 
 interview with the Eeverend Father Oriz. 
 
 Oriz, with the alacrity which usually dis- 
 tinguished him in all matters he had un- 
 dertaken, delayed not a moment, but re- 
 turned with the messenger. On entering 
 the audience room in the Este Palace, he 
 found the Duke in conversation with the 
 Father Pelletario, who had also returned to 
 Ferrara with him. The reception which
 
 OBIZ. 175 
 
 Duke Ercole gave to tlie Inquisitor was one 
 of mingled friendship and respect, which 
 Oriz on his part received in his usual quiet 
 and subdued manner, without the slightest 
 appearance of gratitude or pleasure at the 
 welcome the Duke had given him. The 
 only semblance of marked expression on his 
 countenance was when the Duke introduced 
 him to the Father Pelletario. Then for a 
 moment he cast on the Jesuit a glance so 
 piercing, that he seemed as if determined 
 to read the confessor's inmost thousfhts. 
 The glance Pelletario cast on Oriz was 
 scarcely less characteristic. While bowing 
 with profound respect and humility, and 
 with a smile of pleasure at the introduction, 
 the keen eye of the Jesuit fell on that of 
 the Inquisitor, telling him that he was as 
 perfectly able to defend himself as the In- 
 quisitor to attack, and that he feared no- 
 thing whatever from his presence. 
 
 " You told me in your letter, which I re- 
 ceived late last night," said the Duke, "that
 
 176 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 you were the bearer of a mission of great 
 importance from the King of France. Let 
 me ask you whether it is one of such secrecy 
 that the Eeverend Father Pelletario cannot 
 be present at our interview ?" 
 
 "It would give me great joy could I 
 have the Eeverend Father's advice and 
 support for the subject I am about to in- 
 troduce to your Highness. At the same 
 time, as my message is to you alone, I 
 hardly know whether I should be justified 
 in the respect I owe to his Majesty, in 
 allowing a third person, without his per- 
 mission, to be present at our interview. 1 
 am, however, fully persuaded that had his 
 Majesty been aware that that person would 
 have been the father confessor to your 
 Highness, he would not have made the 
 slightest objection." 
 
 The Jesuit Father, on hearing the 
 answer Oriz made to the Duke, immediately 
 acquiesced in the propriety of there being 
 no third person present at the interview,
 
 OEIZ. 177 
 
 and, bowing respectfully to the Duke and 
 the Inquisitor, left the apartment. 
 
 As soon as they were alone, Oriz said, '' I 
 sincerely trust your Highness will pardon 
 me for having undertaken the painful 
 mission with which I have been intrusted. 
 I beg to assure your Highness I would 
 willingly have avoided it, but his Majesty 
 the King insisted so strenuously on my un- 
 dertaking it, that I had no alternative. 
 First, then, let me place in your hands an 
 autograph letter his Majesty has sent you, 
 and which you will find will corroborate 
 all I say to you/' 
 
 The Duke opened the letter, and glanced 
 rapidly over it. 
 
 " I see," said the Duke, addressing Oriz, 
 " that in this letter his Majesty tells me 
 that at his earnest desire you have taken 
 this journey to Ferrara, to speak to me on 
 spiritual things concerning our state, and 
 especially regarding our illustrious Duchess, 
 the Princess Eenee. I will presently read 
 
 VOL. I. 12
 
 178 THE INQUISITOB. 
 
 the letter again, and in the meantime will 
 you give me your message ?" 
 
 " Allow me, your Highness/' said Oriz, 
 drawing a paper from his pocket, " to refer 
 you to this document, which has been 
 drawn up by the express order of his 
 Majesty. In it I am requested to implore 
 your Highness with the utmost earnestness 
 to allow me an interview with the illus- 
 trious Princess, the Duchess Eenee, in the 
 hope that I may be able to extricate her 
 from the labyrinth of those unhappy 
 opiltiions in which she is lost, so contrary 
 and repugnant to our holy faith and 
 religion, and the news of which has caused 
 deep sorrow to his Majesty the King of 
 France. At this interview I am also in- 
 structed to impress upon her the great 
 favours God has granted her, and amongst 
 others, that of being the issue of the pre- 
 sent blood of the most Christian house of 
 Trance, where no monster has ever existed ; 
 and also to explain that, should she remain
 
 OBIZ. 179 
 
 in her stubbornness and pertinacity, it 
 would displease the King as much as any- 
 thing in the world, and would cause him 
 entirely to forget the love he, as her 
 nephew, bears her, he hating nothing with 
 a greater hate than all those of the repro- 
 bate sects, whose mortal enemy he is." 
 
 " That you will have my full permission 
 for the interview with the Duchess you 
 may be perfectly assured, but at the same 
 time, Dr. Matteo Oriz, you must not hold 
 me answerable if she refuse to receive you. 
 Excellent as a wife, admirable as a mother 
 and in all other respects, her Highness is 
 inflexible on any subject connected with her 
 religion; and I profoundly regret to say 
 that the hatred the most Christian King 
 bears the reprobated sects he speaks of, is 
 not greater than that in which her High- 
 ness holds many of the most eminent men 
 of our holy religion, especially those who 
 are members of the monastic orders. Should 
 her Highness, therefore, object to receive 
 
 12—2
 
 180 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 you, do not consider me in any way guilty 
 in the matter." 
 
 " It would be gross presumption on the 
 part of so humble an individual as myself 
 to judge your Highness in this matter," 
 said Dr. Oriz ; '' nor should I venture to 
 ask you to allow me to make a remark on it 
 were I not commanded to do so by his 
 Majesty, w^ho takes the greatest interest in 
 the soul of his dear aunt the Duchess 
 Eenee." 
 
 " Make any remarks you please ; I will 
 willingly hear them," said the Duke. 
 
 " His Majesty goes on to say," continued 
 Dr. Oriz, glancing at the King's instruc- 
 tions open in his hand, " that if after such 
 remonstrance and persuasion as I shall be 
 able to make to her, so that she may know 
 the truth, and the difference there is 
 between light and darkness, she still 
 remains unconverted, stronger means 
 should be employed." 
 
 " I do not understand you," said the
 
 OBIZ. 181 
 
 Duke, with something of surprise in his 
 tone not unmingled with severity. 
 
 "I am instructed by his Majesty," said 
 Oriz, disregarding the Duke's tone of 
 displeasure, "that in case I should be 
 unable by the gentle means I shall use to 
 gain her, and reclaim the Duchess, I 
 
 am . But pardon me if I here read 
 
 my instructions verbally, that your High- 
 ness may not think I exceed them." Then 
 reading, he continued — " ' He shall take 
 counsel with the said Lord Duke as to 
 what can possibly be done in the way 
 of rigour and severity to bring her to 
 reason.' " 
 
 " The language is somewhat of the 
 strongest," said Ercole, sternly ; " and I 
 am rather surprised to find that the King 
 of France should write in such a manner 
 respecting an illustrious Princess of his own 
 house." 
 
 "His Majesty goes still further," said 
 Dr. Oriz, continuing in the same respectful
 
 182 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 impassive tone ; "he says tliat in case 
 rigour or severity fail to bring her to 
 reason, then his Majesty wills and approves, 
 and indeed exhorts your Highness very 
 earnestly, that you would cause the 
 Princess Eenee to be put into a place 
 secluded from society and conversation, 
 taking away her children and the whole of 
 her family and court, entirely irrespective of 
 whatever nation they may be. But," 
 continued Oriz, "the instructions of his 
 Majesty to me go still further with respect 
 to the punishment to be inflicted on the 
 noble lady should she continue in the error 
 of her ways. As, however, the subject 
 seems painful to your Highness, I will not 
 allude further to it than to say, that his 
 Majesty trusts your Highness will punish 
 with unflinching severity, even to the death, 
 all those who shall have assisted or abetted her 
 Highness, as well as take all possible means 
 of clearing from your dominions the heretics 
 which at present infest them."
 
 OBIZ. 183 
 
 For some moments the Duke remained 
 silent and thoughtful, as if undecided what 
 answer he would give to the chief Inquisi- 
 tor. Ercole had a difficult task before him. 
 He was conscientiously grieved at what he 
 considered the erroneous religious opinions 
 entertained by the Duchess. For political 
 reasons he was most anxious to continue in 
 good favour with the Court of France. 
 But above all it was his chief interest at 
 that moment to keep on good terms with 
 the Court of Eome, in order to secure 
 the succession of the Duchy to his 
 own children, instead of allowing it to 
 revert — as it probably would after the 
 death of his successor — into the States ol 
 the Church. Still, the naturally proud 
 feelings of a Prince of the house of Este 
 revolted at the idea of any foreign powers, 
 even those as influential as the King of 
 France, or the Pope of Eome, interfering 
 with the domestic affairs of his principality. 
 And this feeling was further increased by
 
 184 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 the natural sentiment of manhood which 
 prompted him to stand forward and defend 
 his wife from the powerful conspiracy which 
 he could easily perceive had been formed 
 against her, much as he objected to the prin- 
 ciples of the religion she had adopted. 
 The Inquisitor, who stood motionless, with 
 his eyes fixed on the ground, perfectly under- 
 stood the agitation at that moment swaying 
 the mind of the Duke, but rightly judging 
 that in the end his Highness would agree 
 to the request of the King of France, he 
 said nothing. 
 
 "Dr. Matteo Oriz," said the Duke, 
 suddenly, " I submit to the demands of his 
 Majesty the King of France, and you have 
 my full permission to request an interview 
 with the Duchess. With respect to the 
 stronger portions of your instructions we will 
 talk over them more hereafter. At present 
 my permission is limited solely to an inter- 
 view with the Duchess, although I think you 
 will have some difficulty in obtaining it."
 
 OBIZ. 185 
 
 " If your Highness would advise the 
 Duchess that a messenger has arrived from 
 her nephew the King of France, who desires 
 to speak with her, and that it is your 
 especial wish the interview should be 
 granted, I am fully persuaded she will then 
 no longer hesitate." 
 
 " Probably you may be right," said the 
 Duke, after a moment's consideration. " I 
 will do so ; but remember, Eeverend Father, 
 should you be displeased with your inter- 
 view, no disrespect shall be shown the 
 Duchess, nor shall any steps be taken 
 against her or any person of her household 
 without my especial authority." 
 
 " Your Highness may be fully persuaded 
 1 will carry out your orders," said Oriz.
 
 186 THE INQUISITOB, 
 
 CHAPTEE IX. 
 
 AN AUDIENCE. 
 
 N the afternoon of the same day 
 Oriz proceeded to the Palace of 
 San Francesco, and had his audience 
 with the Duchess. When he arrived at 
 the Palace he was conducted to her private 
 room in which she was accustomed to hold 
 her confidential audiences. When he en- 
 tered he found her Highness attended hy 
 two ladies, one of whom was Donna Ponte, 
 already alluded to, and the other Teresa 
 Posetti. Till the Inquisitor was ushered 
 into the presence. Pence had no idea that 
 the messenger for whom her husband had 
 demanded an interview was a monk. A 
 slight flush of displeasure crossed her face
 
 AN AUDIENCE. 187 
 
 when she saw him, but the moment after 
 she controlled it. On advancing gravely 
 to within a few yards of the chair on which 
 the Duchess was seated, Oriz waited for 
 her to address him. 
 
 "His Highness, the Duke has this morn- 
 ing sent me a message," said Een^e, " that 
 you have arrived from the Court of my 
 nephew the King of France, and that 
 you were intrusted with a special message 
 for me. Did I correctly understand 
 him ?" 
 
 " You did, your Highness," said Oriz. 
 " I am intrusted with a message from 
 your Eoyal nephew; but as it concerns 
 yourself alone, might I respectfully submit 
 that no others should be present?" 
 
 " Before 1 answer you," said Eenee, " tell 
 me whether your mission treats on political, 
 family, or spiritual subjects, for from your 
 dress I suspect it must be the latter." 
 
 " Your Highness has arrived at a right 
 conclusion," said the monk. " My mission.
 
 188 THE INQUISITOB. 
 
 beyond some strong sentences of affection 
 on the part of your Eoyal nephew, relates 
 only to the welfare of your soul." 
 
 " Then, sir," said Eenee sternly, " know 
 that, as I have long since rejected both the 
 mass and the confession, I now refuse to 
 grant you, a monk, a private interview on 
 any subject of the kind. These ladies have 
 my fullest confidence, and you may, if you 
 please, speak with the most unreserved 
 candour. On any spiritual matter I have 
 nothing to hide from them." 
 
 " I much regret the decision your High- 
 ness has come to," said Oriz. " May I 
 hope you will reconsider it ?" 
 
 " Certainly not, sir," said Eenee. " Pro- 
 ceed with your message or quit the room. 
 I will not be dictated to by any one, priest 
 or noble." 
 
 " I will obey your Highness," said Oriz. 
 " At the same time pardon me if I say that 
 you place me in a very painful position. It 
 would be painful to me under any circum-
 
 AN AUDIENCE. 189 
 
 stances, but in the presence of others it will 
 be doubly so." 
 
 "Proceed, sir," said Eenee, somewhat 
 impatiently. 
 
 "My message from his Majesty, then," 
 said Oriz, " is shortly as follows : that he 
 has heard with profound sorrow that you 
 have refused to attend the mass, and ab- 
 stained from the confessional — that you 
 have set at nought the different rites and 
 ceremonies of our Church, such as eating 
 meat on prohibited days, and setting bad 
 examples to those around you, besides other 
 grave faults. He sincerely hopes that you 
 will kindly listen to the arguments I shall 
 bring forward to show you that you are in 
 error." 
 
 " Proceed with them, sir," said Eenee. 
 
 "Your Highness must perceive that it 
 will be inconvenient at the present moment 
 to attack the errors into which you have 
 fallen ; and to prove their falseness at a 
 single interview would be difficult to me
 
 190 THE INQUmiTOB. 
 
 and fatiguing to your Highness. I trust 
 that on another occasion you will allow me 
 to go systematically into the subject." 
 
 " Why not proceed with them at once ?" 
 said Eenee. " At any rate make your be- 
 ginning." 
 
 " Still I must crave the indulgence of 
 your Highness to grant me another oppor- 
 tunity." 
 
 " And if I refuse !" said Ren^e. 
 
 " My instructions with your Highness go 
 no further," said Oriz. " All the rest re- 
 lates to the Duke himself." 
 
 " And might I ask you," said Eenee, 
 " what those instructions are, or are they 
 to be kept a secret from me, his wife ?" 
 
 " Unfortunately," said Oriz, " they are 
 not to be kept a secret from your Highness. 
 On the contrary, they are to be most ex- 
 plicitly told to you. At the same time, 
 I would prefer the Duke, your husband, 
 explaining them to you." 
 
 "The Duke, my husband, explain them
 
 AN AUDIENCE. 191 
 
 to me !" said Eenee angrily, grasping the 
 arm of her chair. "And why can you 
 not explain them to me yourself? Do not 
 stand on any punctilio. I have received 
 offence from those wearing your habit so 
 often, that I am now able to bear any fresh 
 one with composure. Say, sir, what it 
 is you mean, for I perceive it is already 
 on the tip of your tongue." 
 
 " If I must obey your Highness," said 
 Oriz, " my instructions go to the extent of 
 requesting the Duke to place such restraint 
 on you as shall preclude the possibility of 
 your doing injury to the souls of others ; 
 and not to grant you your liberty again till 
 you have consented to attend the mass and 
 the confessional." 
 
 " In other words, sir, I suppose I am to 
 be deprived of the society of those around 
 me. You Inquisitors — for I can easily 
 perceive you are one — appear determined 
 to leave standing no opponent whom you 
 can overthrow. One would have imagined
 
 192 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 the bodyguard I have, two of whom you 
 see standing by my chair/' — pointing to 
 Donna Ponte and Teresa — " were not of 
 such a dangerous kind as to excite your 
 apprehension. Eut tell me, suppose that 
 even then I refused to hear you, what 
 would be the result ?" 
 
 " Pardon me, your Highness, if I do not 
 answer that question." 
 
 ''Nay, speak, man ; why hesitate ? Tell 
 the whole truth. I repeat again, if I refuse 
 to attend the mass and the confessional, 
 what then ?" 
 
 " Once more I trust your Highness will 
 excuse me," said Oriz. 
 
 "What, ashamed of your mission?" said 
 Eenee, sarcastically, "and you an Inqui- 
 sitor !" 
 
 " I am not ashamed of my mission," said 
 Oriz, now drawing himself up, and showing 
 for the first time during their interview 
 that his countenance was capable of another 
 than the placid, resigned look it had
 
 AN AUDIENCE. 193 
 
 hitlierto worn. " I am not ashamed of my 
 mission ; I glory in it. Know then the 
 advice of his Majesty the King of France to 
 the illustrious Duke your husband is, that 
 should you continue still in your errors and 
 impenitent, to apply those means for your 
 conversion which have succeeded so well 
 with thousands of others." 
 
 " And what may they be?" said Eenee. 
 
 " The torture," replied Oriz emphatically. 
 
 " The torture !" said Eenee, rising from 
 her seat, with an intense expression of in- 
 dignation on her countenance. " The 
 torture ! And that word applied to me, a 
 Princess of France !" Then, advancing 
 towards Oriz, she said, "It is false; my 
 nephew never intrusted you with such a 
 commission ; he dare not do it. The whole 
 manhood of the French nation would rise 
 up with indignation were it known that he 
 suggested a thing of the kind. And you 
 would advise my husband, the Duke, to 
 apply the torture to me, his wife ? Do you 
 
 VOL. I. 13
 
 194 TEE INQUISITOR. 
 
 think for one moment that he would en- 
 tertain the suggestion, attached though he 
 is to the Church of Eome ? Have not 
 those of your creed abeady had good proof 
 of the temper of the Princes of the House 
 of Este when unjust interference was at- 
 tempted to be used in the affairs of their 
 dominions ? Ah ! that I wore a beard, and 
 that you were not a priest," said Renee, 
 " licensed to insult a woman without dan- 
 ger, I would then show you what would 
 be the result of offering Renee of France an 
 insult of the kind. Try the experiment on 
 my husband, the Duke, if you please. But 
 no, though you would insult his wife, you 
 would not have the courage to propose it to 
 him." 
 
 " Not only have I the courage to propose 
 it to him," said Oriz, who had now com- 
 pletely resumed his ordinary tranquil tone, 
 " but I hold it to be an especial portion of 
 my duty, not only to your nephew, but to 
 that great cause whose humble instrument
 
 AN AUDIENCE. 195 
 
 I am, to impress its necessity on the Duke ; 
 and that the torture be repeated till yonr 
 Highness has attended mass, confessed, and 
 done penance for your offences/' 
 
 For some moments Eenee continued to 
 gaze on the monk with intense indignation. 
 Her anger, however, seemed not to have 
 the slightest effect on Oriz, who stood 
 before her cold and impassive as a statue. 
 
 " Once more, before I leave," he said to 
 her, "let me implore your Highness to 
 consent to listen to my arguments ; for it 
 will pain me greatly to inform the Duke, 
 your husband, of your disobedience to his 
 wishes." 
 
 Eenee looked calmly at him for a mo- 
 ment, and then said — 
 
 " Not only do I refuse to hear you, but 
 I insist that our interview now cease, and 
 that you never seek to enter into my 
 presence again; for, no matter on whose 
 part you come, I will not receive you. Of 
 what service can any argument on your 
 
 13—^
 
 196 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 part be, when the opinions of both of us are 
 irrevocably fixed on articles of faith as wide 
 as the poles asunder ? You hold that the 
 mass is a sacrifice appointed by God for the 
 redemption and salvation of the living and 
 dead. I hold such a doctrine to be an. 
 unbearable blasphemy, in which the passion 
 of Jesus Christ is quite overthrown and set 
 aside, as if it were of no efiect whatever. I 
 hold that our Blessed Saviour, in offering 
 Himself up, presented Himself an eternal 
 sacrifice by which our iniquities have been 
 purged and cleansed, and ourselves received 
 into the grace of the Father, and made par- 
 takers of the heavenly inheritance. I know 
 you will tell me that you make the same 
 sacrifice which Jesus has made, but I hold 
 such an argument to be blasphemous, for 
 that sacrifice can be made by no one else. 
 You cannot fail to see that one of two 
 things must take place : either I must ac- 
 knowledge as true what 1 at present con- 
 sider the horrible mummery of the mass, or,
 
 AN AUDIENCE. 197 
 
 if I admit your arguments, I must trample 
 under foot the cross of Christ. But the 
 crowning desecration which I should com- 
 mit would be the idolatry I should perpe- 
 trate by adoring a creature instead of God, 
 which is a thing I hold to be altogether in- 
 excusable, while you hold that it is all 
 essential to salvation. Our opinions being 
 so widely different, it would be useless to 
 argue further on them. You are not likely 
 to change yours, and certainly there is not 
 the remotest probability of my changing 
 mine." 
 
 " Pardon me, your Highness, if I submit 
 that the arguments you have used are not 
 yours," said Oriz, " and the opinions which 
 at present misguide you are not the result 
 of your own reflections. You have accepted 
 them from that arch heretic, John Calvin — 
 a man who, not content with reviling our 
 holy mysteries, and causing schism in 
 our Church by argument and open means, 
 attempts even to detract by personal slander
 
 TEE INQUISITOR. 
 
 from the character of those good and holy 
 men who would help you in the right way. 
 Excuse me, your Highness," he continued, 
 seeing the indignation rise in Eenee's face, 
 "but please to recall to your memory a 
 certain letter that John Calvin wrote to you 
 when he first began to tamper with your 
 faith. Before commencing his arguments, 
 he tries to neutralise the confidence you had 
 in your chaplain by speaking of him in the 
 most disrespectful manner, and advising you 
 not to give credence to his utterances." 
 
 Astonishment for a moment took the place 
 of indignation on Eenee's countenance ; for 
 it was quite true that in one of the first 
 letters Calvin had sent to her on the mass, 
 he had strenuously advised her to give no 
 ear to the doctrines preached by her chap- 
 lain. 
 
 " I know not, sir, how you became pos- 
 sessed of the knowledge that I received such 
 a letter ; but at the same time I admit that 
 that good and pious man did write me a
 
 AN AUDIENGE. 199 
 
 letter requesting me to beware of the doc- 
 trines and teachings of my then chaplain, 
 and grateful, indeed, was I to him for the 
 caution; for I afterwards discovered that 
 his knowledge of the man was correct. Have 
 I, then, such spies about me," she contmued, 
 her indignation again getting the better of 
 her astonishment, " that even my private 
 letters are brought under the notice of the 
 Inquisition ? That your duplicity was great 
 and skilful, I knew ; but I hardly considered 
 it was carried to such a point. But our in- 
 terview must now terminate. Use what 
 influence you please with the Duke, my 
 husband. Persuade him, if you can, to allow 
 the torture to be applied to me "-^Kenee 
 here stopped short for a moment, indignation 
 impeding the current of her words ; but she 
 continued at last, " the torture for me, Eenee 
 of France !" 
 
 " Yes, madam," said Oriz, quietly, "if all 
 other means fail. If prayers, entreaties, and 
 arguments are of no avail, better a thousand
 
 200 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 to one that your body should suffer than 
 that your soul should perish eternally. Nay, 
 do not think," he continued, noticing the 
 violent indignation which agitated Eenee, 
 " that it would be any indignity in such a 
 cause to offer the torture to a princess of the 
 house of France. High as your dignity 
 may be, it has already been used, and with 
 good effect, to princesses fully your equal. 
 The Queen Juana of Spain has already suf- 
 fered the torture of the cord, and with the 
 happiest results. Her Majesty, who had 
 for years refused to attend the mass and 
 confess, after her punishment, to the great 
 joy of her son, his Majesty Charles V., and 
 the edification of all true believers, no longer 
 offered any objection, but became a willing 
 child of the Church. And doubtless j^our 
 Highness, if we are pushed to that terrible 
 necessity, will follow her example." 
 
 " You do not know me," said Eenee, " if 
 you think that any torture or any punish- 
 ment you can inflict on me would make me
 
 AN AUDIENCE. 201 
 
 desert those opinions which 1 have con- 
 scientiously adopted. Once more, I believe 
 the celebration of the mass to be nothing 
 better than execrable idolatry. I will part 
 with my life itself sooner than admit the 
 contrary. If you are honest you will take 
 that answer to the Duke, my husband. 
 Ponte," she continued, turning to her lady- 
 in-waiting, " and Teresa, my child, bear 
 witness to my determination. No power 
 on earth shall induce me again to become a 
 member of the Church of Eome ! Now, sir^ 
 leave me ; and, remember, I shall give orders 
 to my servants never to admit you again 
 into my presence.'' 
 
 Oriz, without changing a feature of his 
 countenance, which remained perfectly calm 
 and impenetrable, bowed respectfully to her 
 Highness, and the audience terminated.
 
 202 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 CHAPTEE X. 
 
 AN ALARM. 
 
 LTHOUGH the indignation raised 
 in Eenee's breast by the audacity of 
 Oriz's language had supported her 
 during their interview, it vanished shortly 
 after he had quitted the room. For some 
 time after he had left her she remained seated 
 on her chair of state, which had been placed 
 on a slightly elevated dais, her features 
 wearing a stern, dignified expression, as if 
 she could hardly realise the fact that the 
 Arch-inquisitor was no longer standing be- 
 fore her with calm determination stamped 
 on his face. By degrees Eenee's rigidity 
 of feature began to soften, and she slowly 
 turned her face to Madonna Ponte (who had
 
 AN ALARM. 203 
 
 stood on one side of her, and Teresa on the 
 other) as if to seek for consolation and sup- 
 port; but she found none. The worthy 
 ItaUan Swiss had been so shocked at the 
 behaviour of the Inquisitor, that she had 
 not yet been able to recover her self-posses- 
 sion, and she returned the gaze of the 
 Duchess with one of mingled bewilderment 
 and alarm. Eenee then mechanically turned 
 toward Teresa, and found that the tears 
 were rapidly chasing each other down the 
 poor girl's face. The sight of Teresa's tears* 
 had the effect of calling forth those of the 
 Duchess. All the majesty of demeanour 
 which she had hitherto maintained, and 
 which, on occasion, she could assume with 
 great effect, — although ordinarily she was 
 simple and unpretending in the extreme, — 
 now vanished, and, covering her face with 
 her hands, and bending forward in the chair, 
 she burst into an uncontrollable fit of weep- 
 ing. 
 
 Astonished at the violent outburst of
 
 204 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 grief of the Duchess, both Madonna Ponte 
 and Teresa attempted to console her, though 
 with little good effect. Donna Ponte, who 
 had now fully regained her self- possession, en- 
 deavoured to show Eenee the necessity for 
 calming her I'eelings, so that with her 
 habitual wisdom she might be able to guide, 
 as well as protect, those who without her 
 aid would be but as sheep led to the 
 slaughter. 
 
 " Do not talk to me in that tone, Ponte," 
 said Eenee, at last, "for in my present 
 misery it seems almost like mockery. What 
 power have I ?" she continued, raising her 
 head and looking almost angriiy at Madonna 
 Ponte. " What support can I give to any 
 when I am myself weak and powerless as a 
 bruised reed ?" 
 
 "Still," said Teresa, "your Highness 
 has wisdom, and wisdom is power. Think 
 how helpless the faithful in Ferrara will 
 be without your aid and advice." 
 
 " My child, once more, what power have
 
 AN ALARM. 205 
 
 I to help them ?" said Renee, emphatically. 
 '' My wisdom ! Look at me now," she 
 continued, turning her face, covered with 
 tears, towards the young girl ; " look at me, 
 and then say whether, crushed as my poor 
 brain is by the heavy sorrow which op- 
 presses it, I have the wisdom to guide 
 others." 
 
 " Pardon me if 1 remind your High- 
 ness," said Teresa, " that there is a Power 
 perfectly able to give you wisdom, and to 
 point out the way to guide others with a* 
 certainty that all the princes of this world 
 would in vain attempt to overthrow or 
 oppose." 
 
 " True, my child. To that Power let us 
 all humbly confide ourselves, and pray to be 
 released out of the hands of the persecutor. 
 But, should it not appear right in the eyes 
 of the Almighty to place extraordinary 
 power in my hands, of what use can I be 
 in this matter? I am a woman, and at 
 this moment as weak as either of you —
 
 206 THE INQUISITOB, 
 
 possibly more so. All the ability I once 
 possessed was derived from others, who 
 then supported and guided me. And where 
 are they now ? My illustrious relative and 
 friend, King Francis, is dead, and my 
 nephew, the present King of France, not 
 only deserts me, but has sent the Inquisitor 
 Oriz to persecute me and my Protestant 
 subjects. The Duke, my husband, not 
 only permits him to address me, but even 
 to threaten me with imprisonment and the 
 rack if I do not personally turn a traitress 
 to my God, or if I attempt to shelter or 
 protect any of the scattered sheep of Christ's 
 fold in this city, who are now without a 
 shepherd." 
 
 " But if your Highness has no longer the 
 sword of the mighty to protect you in your 
 present difficulty, you have still your wis- 
 dom left to guide 3^ou, which, with aid 
 from the Almighty, may yet be sufficient." 
 
 " My wisdom, Teresa, is on a par with 
 my power," said the Duchess. " I never
 
 AN ALARM 207 
 
 possessed much, and, as I said before, the 
 little I once had sorrow hath stamped out 
 of me." 
 
 "Your Highness has already guided us 
 in many diflBculties and dangers, and may 
 do so again," said Madonna Ponte. 
 
 '^ Never again, Ponte," said the Duchess. 
 " What you are pleased to call my wisdom 
 was really the wisdom of others, who had 
 me for their mouthpiece. And where are 
 they now who inspired me with that 
 wisdom? All those learned men in my* 
 suite, who were my countrymen and Pro- 
 testants, have been dismissed, and I hear 
 from them no more. Even the tried friend 
 of my childhood, Madame Soubise, 1 have 
 been constrained to dismiss. Where are 
 now the men of piety, learning, and probity, 
 who a few years since made my court one 
 of the most brilliant in Europe ? Where 
 is Perigrino Morata ? Thank, heaven, he 
 died before the persecution began. Where 
 are Celio Curione, Bartolomeo Eicci, Chilian
 
 208 THE INQJJI8IT0E. 
 
 and Jean Sinapi, Antonio Flaminio, and 
 many others on whose wisdom and fidelity 
 I could rely? Are they not all dead or 
 banished? Fannio of Faenza, Giorgio 
 Siculo, and many others, have testified their 
 faith in the piazza, and after passing 
 through the hands of the . executioner, 
 received the crown of martyrdom. Those 
 of the faithful and learned in other coun- 
 tries, who guided me with their wise advice, 
 and encouraged me to maintain the faith 
 and defend its professors, have now ceased 
 to correspond with me. From Melancthon 
 and Farel, who formerly addressed me 
 frequently, I now no longer hear, and 
 letters from my friend John Calvin are of 
 very rare occurrence. All on whom I relied 
 are either dead or seem to have deserted 
 me in my trouble. Your father, Teresa, is 
 the only friend I have to guide me, 
 and he is able to give me but little 
 aid." 
 
 " Excuse me, your Highness," said
 
 AN ALARM. 209 
 
 Teresa, who not only bore a profound 
 love for her father, but unlimited respect 
 for his wisdom and sagacity, " but I hardly 
 think you do my father justice. There are 
 few more learned men in Ferrara than he is, 
 few more ardent in the Protestant cause, or 
 more devoted. to your Highness." 
 
 " All that I admit, my child," said Eenee. 
 "But at the same time your father, from 
 his position, as an upright judge, is im- 
 peded from offering me all the support he 
 might do, lest he should put himself in 
 opposition to the laws he is bound to ad- 
 minister with justice." 
 
 Eenee now rose from her chair, and for 
 some moments paced the room to and fro in 
 deep affliction, her attendants the while 
 maintaining an absolute silence. Presently 
 she stopped, and wiping the tears from her 
 eyes, said : — 
 
 " But this is not the time for me to give 
 way without a struggle while I have one 
 under my roof who has confided himself to 
 
 VOL. I. 14
 
 210 TEE INQUISITOR. 
 
 me for protection, nor shall lie fail to re- 
 ceive it as long as I can lift a finger or 
 exercise a thought in his defence. One 
 thing is certain, he must abide with us no 
 longer than we can insure his escape with 
 safety. I think you told me, Teresa, that 
 your father had already taken steps for 
 him to leave Ferrara ?'' 
 
 " He has, your Highness ; but I am 
 not certain whether they are all completely 
 determined on, although I believe they are.'* 
 
 "At any rate," said the Duchess, "our 
 better plan will be to talk the matter coolly 
 over with him, so that we may hear what 
 his wishes are on the subject, and, as far as 
 they are consistent with his safety, carry 
 fchem out. It is now more than ever im- 
 perative that his residence here should be 
 kept a secret from all. To avoid any 
 accident, you had better go, Teresa, to the 
 apartments of the Princesses, and tell 
 them I will excuse their attendance this 
 afternoon ; and you, Ponte, go to the
 
 AN ALARM. 211 
 
 apartments of the Pastor Ochino, and in- 
 form him I much wish to speak to him ; 
 and we shall then at our leisure be able to 
 talk over his position with him. When 
 you return, we will meet in my private 
 sitting-room, where we can converse to- 
 gether without fear of being interrupted." 
 
 Teresa now left the room and proceeded 
 to the apartments of the Princesses. On 
 entering she found them in company with 
 Sister Laura the nun, Madonna Bonifazio, 
 and the Jesuit Pelletario. The Princesses 
 no sooner saw their young friend than the}?- 
 rose from their chairs to meet her, and 
 kissed her affectionately. Perceiving from 
 the redness of her eyes that she had been 
 weeping, the Princess Lucrezia asked her 
 whether anything had occurred to make 
 her unhappy. Teresa replied somewhat 
 evasively that she felt very low-spirited, 
 but she hoped it would soon pass off. The 
 two Princesses looked at each other as if 
 they were hardly satisfied with Teresa's 
 
 14-^2
 
 212 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 answer, but they made no further remark 
 on the subject. Sister Laura and Madonna 
 Bonifazio also advanced to meet her, and 
 received her in a most friendly manner, 
 while the Jesuit spoke to her with great 
 blandness and courtesy, not unmixed with 
 kindness in his tone. 
 
 " I suppose you have come," said the 
 Princess Eleanora to her, " to tell us that 
 her Highness is ready to receive us?" 
 
 " Pardon me," said Teresa^ " her High- 
 ness, on the contrary, has requested me to 
 tell you that as she does not feel in good 
 spirits this afternoon, nor altogether in 
 good health, she will dispense with your 
 visit. At the same time, she requests me 
 to convey to you the assurance of the warm 
 love she bears you, and her regret at not 
 being able to receive you." 
 
 An expression of astonishment was now 
 visible on the faces of the Princesses, as 
 well as on those of Madonna Bonifazio and 
 the nun, and they looked at one another in
 
 AN ALARM. 213 
 
 an inquiring manner, as if convinced there 
 was some other cause than the one Teresa 
 had named. Even the Jesuit Pelletario 
 seemed somewhat to have lost his habitual 
 command of feature, as his face now 
 assumed an expression of sorrow when he 
 heard the Duchess was indisposed, mingled 
 with a thoughtfulness which showed he 
 understood there was something concealed, 
 and he was reflecting deeply what it might 
 be. 
 
 " But, Teresa," said the Princess' 
 Eleanora, "have you told us the whole 
 truth ? Surely her Highness is not more 
 unwell than you would allow us to imagine ? 
 These are not times, with the plague 
 already appearing in Ferrara, for us to hear 
 of the illness of our dear mother without 
 wishing to know fully what ails her. You 
 are not deceiving us, dear Teresa, by way 
 of calming our fears ?" 
 
 " No, I assure you," said Teresa. " The 
 bodih^ illness of her Highness is of the
 
 214 THE imUISITOB. 
 
 most trifling description ; in fact, it would 
 perhaps have been better for me to have 
 said fatigue rather than illness." 
 
 " Has her Highness then left the Palace 
 this morning," inquired Madonna Bonifazio, 
 " and over-fatigued herself ?'' 
 
 " No," said Teresa, stammering ; " her 
 Highness has not left the Palace." 
 
 " Come, dear Teresa," said the Princess 
 Lucrezia, " tell us the truth." 
 
 " Well," said Teresa, now fairly at bay, 
 " the Duchess has received this morning 
 an unexpected and very long visit, and she 
 feels somewhat fatigued by it." 
 
 " A visit ! and from whom ?" 
 
 It was impossible for Teresa to escape 
 this explicit question, and she replied — 
 
 " It was from a Dominican monk, sent 
 by his Majesty the King of France, on a 
 message to her Highness. He arrived in 
 Perrara only yesterday." 
 
 " Do you know his name ?" asked Sister 
 Laura, with much interest in her tone.
 
 AN ALARM. 215 
 
 "Oriz." 
 
 " And what did he want with our 
 mother ?" said the Princess Eleanora. 
 " What message could he bring her ?" 
 
 Teresa now coloured deeply, and at- 
 tempted to stammer out some excuse for 
 not answering the question, but this she 
 did in so confused and artificial a manner, 
 as greatly to excite the curiosity of the 
 Princesses and their two companions. 
 Teresa, noticing their surprise, became 
 even more confused, and an awkward* 
 silence of some moments ensued, which 
 was broken by the Jesuit Pelletario, who 
 during the conversation between Teresa 
 and the Princesses had remained at 
 some distance, apparently absorbed in 
 thought, though marking attentively 
 the embarrassment of the young girl, and 
 doubtless drawing his own conclusions 
 from it. 
 
 " Possibly," he said in his blandest tones, 
 as he advanced towards the group, "it
 
 216 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 would be indiscreet to ask the object of the 
 Eeverend Father's visit to her Highness, 
 even if your friend Teresa had been present 
 at it. She may very naturally consider 
 herself — and in my opinion if she does she 
 has reason on her side — hardly authorized 
 to speak on the subject without permission 
 from her Highness. I think, if you will 
 allow me to suggest it, it would perhaps be 
 more discreet if we did not question her 
 further in the matter." 
 
 Teresa made no remark, but merely 
 bowed as if she admitted the correctness of 
 the Jesuit's conclusion ; but notwithstand- 
 ing he had relieved her from a difficult 
 position, she hardly felt grateful to him, for 
 she was but ill at ease in his presence, and 
 yet he had done nothing to excite either her 
 suspicion or her anxiety. Although he had 
 treated her with his habitual courtesy, and 
 had turned his eye from her shortly after 
 she had entered the room, and appeared 
 occupied with his own thoughts, she in-
 
 AN ALARM. 217 
 
 stinctively felt that lie was paying marked 
 attention to tlie conversation. On tlie few 
 occasions when his eyes were bent upon 
 her there was nothing in their expression 
 but kindness and courtesy. Still the young 
 girl felt that at that ver}^ moment he was 
 reading her inmost thoughts, and that too 
 in direct opposition to her own wish. 
 Although not an idea had crossed her mind 
 save of the most ingenuous and honourable 
 description, the certainty that the suave, 
 polished man who stood before her could 
 read her with perfect facility, occasioned in 
 her an intolerably painful consciousness of 
 her own mental inferiority. Annoyed with 
 herself at giving way to the feeling, the 
 poor girl stammered out some excuse about 
 the Duchess requiring her presence, and 
 asked permission to leave the room. 
 Possibly this might not have been granted 
 so readily, for the curiosity of the Prin- 
 cesses was but barely satisfied, had it not 
 been for the intervention of the Jesuit, who
 
 218 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 suggested that, as her Highness the Duchess 
 required Teresa's presence, it would hardly 
 he respectful on their part to detain her, 
 pleasing though her society might be to 
 them. A glance, this time almost of 
 gratitude, Teresa cast on the Jesuit, and 
 then saluting the Princesses and their com- 
 panions, she quitted the room, 
 
 A moment after Teresa had entered the 
 private apartments of the Duchess, Ochino, 
 accompanied by Madonna Ponte, followed 
 her. The Duchess welcomed him most 
 graciously. She then informed him in detail 
 of the visit she had that morning received 
 from Oriz, and the conversation which had 
 passed between them. Ochino seemed greatly 
 surprised at the intelligence. 
 
 " Alas ! this is terrible news indeed for 
 the faithful in Ferrara," he said. " Mercy is 
 unknown to that man, and unfortunately his 
 cruelty is combined with a cunning and 
 sagacity which renders it still more terrible. 
 However, we are in the hands of the
 
 AN ALARM. 219 
 
 Almighty, and we must submit with resig- 
 nation to His fiat." 
 
 " But while our lives are as naught in the 
 balance," said Eenee, " yours is very precious 
 to the cause of Truth : and the first object 
 of our thoughts must be to provide for your 
 welfare. Willingly would I have asked you 
 to remain longer with us, but I can foresee 
 as clearly as you do the terrible danger we 
 are all in. The sooner you quit Ferrara the 
 greater will be your chance of reaching 
 Venice in safety. Preparations are already 
 in progress to obtain a boat by which you 
 may drop down the river in safety to Com- 
 macchio, where you can easily find a vessel 
 which shall convey you to Venice, unless 
 you prefer returning across the Alps to 
 Zurich." 
 
 '^ I should prefer first visiting Venice, your 
 Highness," said Ochino. " There I have 
 friends to protect me, and there, as I told 
 you before, I am certain of receiving rich 
 contributions for my mission in Zurich.
 
 220 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 I will obey the suggestion of your High- 
 ness, and quit Ferrara as soon as I possibly 
 can, to make preparations for receiving those 
 of our faith who, I can easily perceive, will 
 shortly be obliged to leave the duchy. At 
 the same time, if your Highness will perm.it 
 it, I should much like to have another meet- 
 ing of the faithful before I quit the city, in 
 order that I may, to the best of my ability, 
 encourage those who may be likely to 
 swerve from the right way as soon as the 
 persecutions, which will shortly be in store 
 for them shall fall heavily upon them." 
 
 " I would willingly oblige you," said 
 Eenee, "if it were practicable, but I hardly 
 think it will be so. To-morrow night at 
 the latest, you must leave Ferrara, and to 
 collect the faithful together in my private 
 chapel this evening will, I am afraid, be im- 
 possible. I have no doubt, however, that 
 some few of us will be able to assemble 
 together, and I will get Teresa to go to her 
 father's with Madonna Ponte, and ask him
 
 AN ALARM. 221 
 
 to enlist the services of tlie younpr Swiss in 
 collecting together what few of our faith he 
 can before the evening, though it is now so 
 late in the afternoon that I am afraid not 
 many of those who last heard you will be 
 present at this meeting/' 
 
 The conversation now turned on Ochiiio's 
 mission in Zurich, and his prospect of 
 success. He detailed to the Duchess the 
 different arrangments he had made for the 
 reception of any fresh fugitives who might 
 fly there for shelter. The Duchess then 
 made many inquiries respecting different 
 members of the Protestant faith who had 
 already fled from Ferrara, and among them 
 a certain Luigia Berenetti and her son, in 
 whom she had taken great interest, supply- 
 ing them with funds for their escape. Ochino 
 did not remember their name as being 
 among those fugitives who had assembled 
 at Zurich. 
 
 " You surprise me," said Eenee, " as she 
 told me, when leaving, that she intended to
 
 222 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 reside for the future in Zurich. She is a 
 woman of very modest and retiring disposi- 
 tion, and very possibly has not introduced 
 herself to you, or she may not have arrived 
 there till after you left. I much regret, 
 however, that you have not seen her, as I 
 feel great interest in her. 
 
 " I am by no means certain that she may 
 not be with us," said Ochino ; " for shortly 
 before I quitted Zurich several Italians 
 joined us, and she might have been among 
 the number, though I have forgotten her 
 name. I have with me a list of all our 
 congregation, and if your Highness will 
 permit me, 1 will fetch it from my room, 
 and I shall then be able to give you more 
 accurate information on the subject." 
 
 Ochino now proceeded to his own chamber 
 when, having obtained the list, he de- 
 scended the staircase, and entering the cor- 
 ridor, he found himself face to face with the 
 Jesuit Pelletario. Becognising each other, 
 both stopped short, and for some moments
 
 AN ALARM. 223 
 
 silent looks passed between them. Pelleta- 
 rio at last said with much sorrow in his 
 tone — 
 
 " I am grieved, my brother, to find 3^ou 
 here, as it places me in a most painful posi- 
 tion, and the more so from the vivid 
 remembrance of the friendship which once 
 existed between us. Warm as that was, 
 and painful as it undoubtedly is for me to 
 take any steps against you, I cannot allow a 
 private feeling of my own to interfere with 
 my duty either to our holy cause or to his 
 Highness." 
 
 " You intend to denounce me then ?" said 
 Ocliino. 
 
 " Candidly, I do. I have unfortunately, as 
 you yourself must admit, no alternative. 
 To-morroto it will be my painful duty to 
 inform the Duke that you are residing in 
 the Palace. I should have done so this even- 
 ing, but that I understand his Highness has 
 left the castle to pass the night in either the 
 Belfiore or the Belvedere Palace, I know
 
 224 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 not which. He will return, however, to the 
 castle to-morrow. I am in doubt whether 
 it is not my duty at once to inform the 
 Holy Office that you are in Ferrara, and I 
 should do so vnthout a moment's hesitation 
 but that you are the ii;uest of her Highness; 
 and I am not certain whether, out of respect 
 to the Duke, I ought not in the first place, 
 to put the matter into his hands. Once 
 more, believe me I shall do so with great 
 sorrow, but, as I said before, my personal 
 feelings must not interfere with my duty." 
 
 So saying, he courteously bowed his head 
 to Ochino, and without saying another 
 word, passed on towards the apartment of 
 the Princesses. 
 
 Although the literal meaning of the 
 words Pelletario uttered showed but little 
 good feeling towards Ochino, there was at 
 the same time considerable kindness notice- 
 able in his tone, as well as an expression of 
 much sympathy on his handsome and in- 
 telligent features. Not only was there a
 
 AN ALARM. 225 
 
 sorrowful accent in his words, but he spoke 
 them with remarkable slowness, glancing 
 at Ochino the while with a peculiar expres- 
 sion, as if wishing to obtain his particular 
 attention. Moreover, on the word "to- 
 morrow" he laid a strong emphasis, as if 
 wishing to convey a meaning beyond that 
 of the word itself. After a moment's reflec- 
 tion, it became evident to Ochino that there 
 was more of a friendly intention towards 
 him in Pelletario's address than mig^ht have 
 been at first apparent from the words ho 
 uttered. Altogether it seemed as if he 
 wished to give his old friend an opportunity 
 of making his escape that evening. At any 
 rate, Ochino understood it so, and deter- 
 mined if possible to profit by the sugges- 
 tion. 
 
 When Ochino entered the private sitting- 
 room of the Duchess, it was easy to perceive 
 that he had some unpleasant intelligence to 
 communicate. Before the Duchess could 
 question him on the subject, he narrated to 
 
 VOL. I, 15
 
 226 THE INQUISITOR, 
 
 her the short interview which had passed 
 between him and the Jesuit. 
 
 At first Eenee appeared indignant that 
 Pelletario had intruded himself in the por- 
 tion of the Palace where Ochino had met 
 him. 
 
 *' His instructions," said Eenee, " were to 
 confine himself solely to the apartments of 
 the Princesses, nor will I allow him to intrude 
 himself beyond. All the dominion now left 
 me to rule over is but one portion of this 
 Palace ; but that portion shall remain in- 
 violable as long as I have the power to 
 maintain it." 
 
 " Pardon me," said Ochino, '* if I submit 
 that possibly in disobeying the regulation 
 which prohibited him from visiting your por- 
 tion of the Palace, he might have been actuated 
 to a certain extent by a friendly feeling to- 
 wards me. Although it is perfectly true, that 
 in the words he uttered, not one of good feel- 
 ing could be detected, yet at the same time 
 there was much kindness in his tone and
 
 AN ALARM. 227 
 
 manner. He evidently wished, as I believe, 
 to impress upon me the necessity there was 
 of my escaping, if possible, this evening. 
 Whether it would be worth while for me to 
 attempt it is another matter ; for broken 
 spirited as I am from the dangers surround- 
 ing our brethren in this city, were I to 
 follow my own impulse, I should prefer 
 staying to die with them to escaping 
 without them." 
 
 '' That must not be," said Eenee. " Your 
 life is too valuable to our cause for it to be 
 needlessly sacrificed. But now remains the 
 difficult question — how, at so short a notice, 
 can we provide for your escape?" To remain 
 here till to-morrow will bring on you cer- 
 tain destruction ; and yet it is very doubtful 
 whether before to-morrow evening it will be 
 possible to make the necessary preparations. 
 Your better plan will be to remain with us 
 till after nightfall, and then to seek the dwell- 
 ing of the Judge Biagio Eosetti. Tell him 
 the position in which you are placed, and ask 
 
 15—2
 
 228 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 shelter from him till to-morrow. Do you 
 not think that will be best, Teresa?" she 
 continued, turning to the young girl. 
 
 " I can suggest no better plan," said 
 Teresa ; " and I need hardly say that my 
 father will receive him with open arms, and 
 do everything in his power to assist him to 
 escape. You know where my father lives ?" 
 she continued turning to Ochino. 
 
 '' Perfectly well. I know every street in 
 Perrara, and shall be able to find my way 
 to his house without the slightest difficulty. 
 1 have no doubt the agents of the Inquisi- 
 tion will seek for me here to-morrow, as soon 
 as Pelletario shall have given the Duke 
 notice that I am in Perrara. 'Not a word 
 must therefore be said to lead to the place 
 of my concealment ; for although I care but 
 little for myself in the matter, it may bring 
 misfortune on the head of your excellent 
 father. Again, it is more than probable he 
 may find for me some other place of con- 
 cealment, as suspicion will naturally turn
 
 AN ALARM, 229 
 
 on him when it is found that 1 am not in 
 the Palace." 
 
 " I have no doubt," said Teresa, " that 
 my father will ask for the assistance of the 
 Swiss, Camille Gurdon, whom you saw here, 
 and will confide to him the means for con- 
 triving your escape, as he will not only be 
 more energetic but less likely to be suspec- 
 ted than my father. I feel quite hopeful 
 that, once under his care, your escape will 
 be effected with little difficulty, for he is 
 not only shrewd and cautious, biit resolute 
 and energetic. At least, so my father 
 thinks," she continued. 
 
 " You will indeed be in good hands if 
 you intrust yourself to him," said Renee. 
 " And now that we have so far determined 
 on the course to be pursued, let us talk of 
 other things. Teresa, my child, go to the 
 oak chest beside my bed, and take from 
 it the small box in which I keep some of 
 my jewels, and bring it to me." 
 
 Teresa obeyed, and going into the bed-
 
 230 THE INQUISITOB. 
 
 chamber, opened the lid of the heavy 
 carved oak chest, with its ponderous lock, 
 in which the ladies in Italy, in Eenee's 
 time, were accustomed to keep their richer 
 dresses and valuables. From it she took a 
 small silver casket exquisitely chased by Ben- 
 venuto Cellini for the late Duchess Lucrezia 
 Borgia, and which, on Eenee's marriage 
 with her son, the reigning Duke, had been 
 presented to her by his father Alfonso, 
 together with many of the rich jewels 
 Lucrezia had worn. 
 
 Teresa carried the casket to the Duchess, 
 who, opening the secret spring which 
 fastened it, took from it a purse containing 
 a number of sequins and a diamond armlet 
 of great value (one of the jewels of the late 
 Duchess), and placing them in Ochino's 
 hand, she begged he would, when in 
 Venice, exchange the latter into money, 
 and apply the proceeds as well as the purse 
 of sequins to the uses of the mission in 
 Zurich. Ochino received the contribution
 
 AN ALARM. 231 
 
 most thankfully, and reminded her of the 
 text, "He that hath pity upon the poor, 
 lendeth unto the Lord," and told her that 
 without doubt her gift would be repaid to 
 her a hundred-fold. He now proposed that 
 they should spend the remainder of the 
 evening, till it was time for him to depart, 
 in prayer. Willingly the Duchess agreed 
 to the proposition, and Teresa having been 
 despatched to the chapel for the Italian 
 translation of the Scriptures, Ochino read a 
 portion of the New Testament. Then, all* 
 kneeling down, he prayed with great fer- 
 vour, begging that the bounty and protec- 
 tion of the Almighty might be bestowed, 
 not only on the Duchess and her suite, but 
 on. the suffering members of Christ's flock, 
 dispersed in Ferrara and throughout the 
 whole duchy. That courage and patience 
 might be given them to support the perse- 
 cutions which were too probably in store for 
 them, and to enable them to maintain the 
 faith even under the tortures of the rack,
 
 232 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 in the dungeons of the Inquisition, or 
 amid the flames on the Piazza. That God 
 would raise np for them wise counsellors, 
 who would be able to guide and protect 
 them in their adversity, and support them 
 with His Spirit till the day should arrive 
 when truth should be made manifest among 
 them, and the sword of the persecutor drop 
 from his hand. 
 
 It was dark night when Ochino had con- 
 cluded his devotions. After a sorrowful 
 leave-taking with the Duchess, Teresa, 
 carrying a small lamp in her hand, con- 
 ducted him stealthily downstairs to a 
 private door of the Palace, and, having as- 
 certained that no loiterers were in sight, 
 bade him farewell.
 
 THE CONFERENCE. 233 
 
 CHAPTEE XI. 
 
 THE CONFERENCE. 
 
 EOM an early hour the next morn- 
 ing all was stir and animation in 
 the convent of the Corpus Domini. 
 In consequence of Eenee's frank admission* 
 to Oriz, that she had adopted the Eeformed 
 doctrines, and had expressed her determina- 
 tion to continue in them, the Superior of 
 the Dominicans the same evening had sent 
 messages not only to the Archbishops and 
 Bishops of Ferrara, and the heads of the 
 regular clergy, but to the Superiors of the 
 different monastic institutions, requesting 
 their attendance at a meeting to be held the 
 next day in the refectory of the Dominican 
 convent, to take into consideration the best
 
 234 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 means to be adopted at once to put a stop 
 to the baneful heresy which now afflicted 
 the Church in the Ducliies of Ferrara and 
 Modena. The message also stated that 
 another object of the meeting was to receive 
 the Eeverend Dr. Matthew Oriz, Chief In- 
 quisitor of France, who had been sent by 
 the Most Christian King Henry II. on a 
 special mission to the Duchy. 
 
 By nine o'clock, the refectory had been 
 put in perfect order for the meeting, and 
 the lay brother in charge of the arrange- 
 ments having declared all to be in readi- 
 ness, the Superior of the convent and Oriz 
 descended to inspect the preparations which 
 had been made. After expressing their 
 approval, the lay brother retired, and an 
 earnest conversation ensued between the 
 two monks — earnest at least so far as the 
 apparently impassive nature of Oriz would 
 allow him to show. Their conversation 
 principally turned on the business to be 
 presented to the meeting, and the necessity 
 there was for impressing on it that the
 
 THE CONFERENCE. 235 
 
 moment had come when energetic action 
 should be taken. Oriz, his habitually calm 
 eye lightening up as he spoke, expressed 
 his opinion that now the plague of heresy 
 in the Duchy might be extirpated at a 
 single blow, and the Church again resume 
 her authority. The Superior fully agreed 
 with Oriz. In fact, the two monks seemed 
 to have changed their relative positions, for 
 while Oriz in his manner showed towards 
 his companion the obedience and respect 
 due to the Superior of a convent, in his tone 
 he undisguisedly assumed the lead ; while, 
 again, the Superior, accepting the outward 
 signs of respect shown him by Oriz, quietly 
 acquiesced in every opinion he uttered, and 
 expressed his willingness to carry out every 
 plan of action suggested. 
 
 The first delegate to the meeting who 
 arrived at the convent was the Greneral of 
 the Capuchins. This office had been twice 
 held by Ochino when lie was a brother of 
 the Order. A strong difference, however, 
 existed between the present General and
 
 236 THE INQUISITOB. 
 
 Ochino. While the latter was all anima- 
 tion, brilliant in his discourse, and grace- 
 ful in his person, his successor was even 
 common in his appearance, of heavy frame, 
 and unintellectual countenance. His prin- 
 cipal qualifications for the appointment he 
 held were those of a discreet superintendent 
 of the funds of his Order, and an attorney- 
 like astuteness in prosecuting with success 
 obscure points connected with the legality 
 of pecuniary or property claims supposed to 
 belong to the fraternity. 
 
 On being introduced to Oriz, he shortly 
 expressed the great gratification he felt at 
 the arrival of so eminent a man, who, he 
 had no doubt, would contribute greatly not 
 only to the spiritual welfare of the Church, 
 but to her power as well. Oriz gratefully 
 thanked the Capuchin for the compliment 
 he had paid him, and in return trusted that 
 he should bave the General's assistance in 
 the good work they were about to 
 enter on. 
 
 " You may be perfectly certain," said the
 
 THE GONFEBENGE. 237 
 
 General, "that all the assistance in my 
 power, and in that of the brethren of our 
 Order, shall be willingly rendered you, and 
 I flatter myself you will find us energetic 
 soldiers of the Church.'' 
 
 " At the same time," said Oriz, " the 
 Church not only requires brave soldiers, but 
 disciplined ones as well. Without discipline 
 one half our power will be lost. We have 
 already reformed the plan of action of the 
 Holy Office, and we trust that all will assist 
 us by putting into our bands whatever in- ' 
 formation may come under their notice. 
 Not that we doubt the discretion or 
 ability of others, yet, at the same time, 
 one central authority is necessary, and 
 by permission of our Holy Father the Pope, 
 that is at present placed in our hands ; 
 so that by accumulating all kinds of 
 information, we may be better able to 
 strike the blow where it will be most 
 effective. " 
 
 "I perfectly agree with you," said the 
 Capuchin General ; " and I moreover hold
 
 238 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 that no information, of however trifling a 
 description, should be kept from you ; and 
 in proof, the object of my early arrival at 
 the convent was to place in your hands 
 some information, possibly trifling in itself, 
 which reached me yesterday. In the morn- 
 ing, an old man of the name of Carlo 
 Pedretti, formerly employed to strike the 
 hours in the Eigobello tower, called at our 
 convent, to inquire after a brother whom he 
 had brought with him into the city two 
 nights before, but whom he had parted 
 with before reaching the convent. On in- 
 quiring among the brethren, no one was 
 found answering to the description. The 
 old man was told he was in error, as all the 
 brethren had been at the benediction in 
 the convent that evening, and no one had 
 afterwards quitted the building. The old 
 man, however, insisted that he was not 
 in error, stating that he had rowed a tra- 
 velling Capuchin across the river long after 
 Ave Maria, as the regular ferry-boats were
 
 THE CONFERENCE. 239 
 
 not allowed to work later. In vain was 
 he assured that no travelling brother had 
 arrived at the convent on the evening in 
 question. Pedretti maintained that it was 
 the case, and that he had conducted him 
 nearly to the corner of the street. On 
 being required to give a description of the 
 Friar, he replied that he had not seen his 
 features, for besides that it was nearly dark 
 when he first addressed him, he now re- 
 membered that he wore his cowl deep over 
 his face, a fact which he did not remark at 
 the time, but which afterwards had recurred 
 to his memory more than once. On being 
 asked what object he had in visiting the 
 the new-comer, he replied with some hesi- 
 tation, that he had no particular reason 
 beyond being somewhat uneasy in his con- 
 science, for although nothing extraordinary 
 had struck him at the time in the Friar's 
 behaviour, there had ever since appeared 
 to him to be some mystery about it. In 
 the first place, he did not clearly under-
 
 240 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 stand why lie should have objected to enter 
 the city by the Via del Po. The Porta 
 del Po was not at so great a distance from 
 the Capuchin convent as to have induced 
 the friar to wade a mile through the clay 
 and marshes when it was nearly dark, and 
 when it was uncertain whether he would 
 be able to get ferried over, especially when 
 he knew that without trouble he could have 
 obtained a place in the ferry-boat at Mal- 
 Albergo. He couldn't understand it, he 
 said. The way there would have been 
 quite as easy to find as by the Porta 
 San Giorgio ; and besides that, he would 
 have passed by the convent of the Corpus 
 Domini, where he could have asked his way 
 if he had had any difficulty. And then 
 again it struck him, that in leaving the 
 high road and crossing the marshes, it al- 
 most seemed as if the Friar wished to visit 
 the heretic ferryman, Griacomo, as he was 
 evidently proceeding in a straight line to 
 his house. We questioned him," continued
 
 THE CONFERENCE. 2 11 
 
 the Capuchin Greneral, " as to what could 
 have put these doubts into his head. He 
 replied, that on thinking over the conver- 
 sation which had passed between them, he 
 remembered that the Friar had not only 
 defended and spoken well of the Duchess, 
 but had also made particular inquiries 
 whether the heretic Judge Biagio Eosetti 
 was still in Ferrara. Altogether he had 
 been unhappy about it ever since, and had 
 called at the convent to get such explana- 
 tion about it as might serve as a salve to 
 his conscience. Although, of course, we 
 did not let Pedretti see we were at all 
 anxious on the subject, we caused inquiries 
 to be made through the whole of the city, 
 but no tidings could we gain of the Friar. 
 I therefore wish to submit to you whether 
 it may not be possible that some heretic of 
 note has introduced himself into the city 
 under the disguise of a member of our Holy 
 Order." 
 
 "Nothing more likely," said the Supe- 
 
 YOL. I. 16
 
 :42 THE INQUISITOB. 
 
 rior of the Dominicans. " We all know 
 the arch-heretic John Calvin himself has 
 already more than once visited the city in 
 disguise, to encourage in their evil ways 
 those whom by his pernicious doctrines he 
 had led astray. The subject shall receive 
 the serious attention of the Holy Office, 
 and we are most grateful to you for having 
 brought it under our notice." 
 
 It was now nearly time for the meeting, 
 and members of the different bodies began to 
 arrive. Among the earliest were the Arch- 
 bishop of Ferrara and the Jesuit Pelletario. 
 Then came the delegates from the Car- 
 thusian monastery in the Via Borsa, at- 
 tended by two brothers of the order, the 
 Superior of the Theatins, and many mem- 
 bers of other different religious bodies, as 
 well as the most eminent of the parochial 
 clergy, till the large hall of the refectory 
 was completely filled with clergy, all anxious 
 to take a part in the proceedings, as well as 
 to receive the celebrated Inquisitor and doc-
 
 THE GONFEBENCE. 243 
 
 tor in theology, who was that day to be 
 presented to them. 
 
 After many of the most notable among 
 them had been presented to Oriz, the Arch- 
 bishop of Ferrara was invited to preside, 
 and having taken his seat in a small, 
 slightly elevated open pulpit, which some- 
 what resembled the throne of a judge, 
 with Oriz on the one side of him and the 
 Superior of the Dominicans on the other, 
 the rest of the meeting ranged themselves 
 round him, the whole forming one of 
 those picturesque combinations for which 
 the costumes of the Eoman Catholic 
 clergy appear so peculiarly adapted. 
 
 The Archbishop now rose to address the 
 meeting. He told them that although several 
 among them had already formed the ac- 
 quaintance of Dr. Matthew Oriz, it was 
 now his pleasing duty to introduce him 
 generally to the assembly. Their reverend 
 brother, who had filled the high office of 
 Chief Inquisitor of Trance, had now ar- 
 
 16-2
 
 244 TEE INQUISITOR. 
 
 rived in Ferrara on a special mission of im- 
 portance from the Most Christian King, his 
 Majesty Henry II., as well as authorized by 
 His Holiness to take the supreme direction 
 of the Holy Office established in the city. 
 Of the special mission with which his 
 reverend brother had been intrusted by 
 his Majesty, it was not for him to speak. 
 What the purport of his instructions might 
 be he knew nothing, but of this he was per- 
 suaded, that, whether he divulged or kept 
 them secret, they might all be assured that 
 their reverend brother would be actuated 
 by one principle — the advancement and 
 good of the Church. Of this he could 
 promise the reverend doctor, that what- 
 ever help he might require from the 
 regular clergy or monastic orders in the 
 diocese, he would be certain to receive 
 it — all beinc^ assured that a man of 
 his eminence, and holding as he did 
 the important position of Chief Inquisitor 
 of France, would ask for no aid or in-
 
 THE CONFERENCE. 245 
 
 formation which they would not willingly 
 accord him. 
 
 A simultaneous burst of acquiescence 
 broke from the assembly, and when it had 
 somewhat subsided the Inquisitor Oriz rose 
 to address the meeting. Flattering as had 
 been the reception they had given him, it 
 seemed not to make the slightest impression 
 on his feelings. Not the least appearance 
 of excitement was noticeable on his coun- 
 tenance, and the tone of his voice was calm 
 and unimpassioned. He commenced by 
 thanking them for the assistance he was 
 convinced every individual would willingly 
 accord him, but before asking it he should 
 like to explain, as far as discretion would 
 allow him, the object of his mission, and 
 the reasons, beyond the commands of his 
 superiors, which had induced him to under- 
 take it. 
 
 " It was not/' he said, " from any doubt of 
 the energy or ability shown by the Dominican 
 Fathers in Ferrara, in the management of
 
 246 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 the duties of the Holy Office, which induced 
 his Majesty the King of France to request 
 me to undertake the mission, as that Most 
 Christian King would have been averse to 
 interfere in either the ecclesiastical or poli- 
 tical affairs of the Duchy of Ferrara. On 
 the contrary, it was the direct request and 
 application of his Highness the Duke him- 
 self that induced his Majesty to intrust 
 me with the mission. In the summer of 
 last year the Duke wrote a letter to his 
 Majesty the King of France, in which, 
 after speaking of the unfortunate spread of 
 heresy in his dominions — heresy from which 
 his own family were not altogether free — 
 he requested his Majesty to send him an 
 ecclesiastic well versed in argument, and 
 accustomed to the duties of an inquisitor, 
 who might succeed in bringing the illus- 
 trious Duchess Eenee of France back into 
 the fold of the Church, as well as assist, by 
 his advice and experience, his brother 
 Dominicans in extirpating the evil which
 
 THE CONFERENCE. 247 
 
 had been introduced into the city by the 
 arch-heretic John Calvin, and which has 
 since taken such strong root in Ferrara, 
 that it was lately pointed at by Luther 
 himself as the centre of Protestantism 
 in Italy. Fortunately, through the admi 
 rable energy of the reverend fathers of the 
 Inquisition, aided by the counsel and wis- 
 dom of that true son of the Church, the 
 reigning Duke, that unhappy state of things 
 no longer exists. In Italy at present 
 heresy has no rallying point, nor can 
 Ferrara be now designated as the strong-' 
 hold of schismatics ; for although there are 
 still many deluded ones resident in the 
 city, they are as sheep without a shepherd. 
 Already heresy is nearly extinct in the 
 valley of Aosta, that district which Calvin 
 considered exclusively his own. In Como 
 hardly a heretic remains ; and the schis- 
 matic Churches of Pisa, Florence, and 
 Naples are either extinct or their deluded 
 members meet secretly to perform a wor-
 
 248 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 ship scarcely less obnoxious to our Church 
 tlian the worship of the arch-fiend himself. 
 In Venice, notwithstanding the headstrong 
 opposition of the senate, and their deter- 
 mination not to allow the ecclesiastical law, 
 which should rule all laws, to be dominant 
 over the civil power, the true religion is 
 regaining her sway. Still the heretics in 
 all parts, deceived by their priesthood, look 
 to Ferrara as a rallying-point, and believe 
 they will yet receive support and protection 
 from the illustrious Duchess, who has now, 
 under the blessing of heaven, lost all her 
 power to do evil. From this idea it will be 
 our duty to undeceive them. We must 
 prove to them that Ferrara is no longer the 
 hotbed of schism it was when Ochino openly 
 defied the powers of Eome, and the arch- 
 heretic Calvin (though under an assumed 
 name) boldly opened a school for the dis- 
 semination of his schismatic doctrines 
 under the protection of the Duchess herself, 
 and openly preached defiance of the Pope,
 
 THE CONFEBENGE. 249 
 
 hurling his blasphemous denunciations at 
 what he termed the idolatry of the mass, 
 that most respected and beloved of the 
 mysteries of our Church. All this, we 
 must shortly prove to the whole of Ital}^, 
 is a thing of the past. Although it is 
 certain there are many in Ferrara who 
 still cling with determined tenacity to the 
 depraved doctrines of the so-called Ee- 
 formers, there can be no doubt that a 
 divine blessing has now fallen on the 
 labours of the holy Inquisition, and that 
 in a short time Italy will be freed from 
 the pestilence, and the Church resume 
 again her original power and splendour." 
 
 Although during the greater part of his 
 address, which lasted nearly an hour, Oriz 
 maintained his usual calm tone and manner, 
 his words falling slowly and impressively 
 on the ear, when he spoke of the hope he 
 felt that the Church would soon again be 
 dominant, his m^ner suddenly changed so 
 completely, that he could hardly have been
 
 250 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 recognised as the same individual. He had 
 stood till then with his body slightly bent, 
 keeping his eyes on the floor of the 
 hall, occasionally, and only for a moment, 
 raising them when he personally addressed 
 the Archbishop, and then lowering them 
 again when he resumed the thread of his 
 subject. But when he touched on the future 
 glorious prospect of the Church he drew 
 himself up to his full height, and with 
 wonderful animation gazed on the 
 assembled priests and monks, his voice 
 assuming at the time such power of tone 
 and fluency of diction as to make him 
 appear almost inspired. At the conclusion 
 of his address, however, the brilliant anima- 
 tion which had sparkled in his eye suddenly 
 vanished, and the flush which had at the 
 moment overspread his countenance disap- 
 peared, leaving the same marble hue which 
 his complexion had worn before he com- 
 menced speaking. Again a^uming his habi- 
 tual calm demeanour, and bowing humbly
 
 THE CONFERENCE. 251 
 
 and almost deprecatingly to the buzz of 
 admiration which spontaneously burst from 
 the assembly, he withdrew from his promi- 
 nent position beside the Archbishop, and 
 retired to one of the back seats, as if the 
 congratulations and applause he was re- 
 ceiving were painful to him. 
 
 The Father Fabrizio, the Superior of the 
 convent of the Dominicans, now rose to ad- 
 dress the meeting. He said that although he 
 wished to resign his ofiBce as Superior of the 
 convent, the Eeverend Father Oriz woul4 
 not allow him. He much regretted the 
 fact, as in his humble opinion the interests 
 of the Church would have been advanced 
 by it. At the same time it was his duty 
 not to put his wish in opposition to one so 
 far more learned than himself It was his 
 part to obey, and he would do so. He 
 could not disguise from himself that it 
 would be detrimental to the interests of the 
 Church, and an act of presumption on his 
 part, if he continued longer as the head of
 
 252 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 the executive of the Holy Office in extirpat- 
 ing the remains of heresy in Ferrara. For 
 the future that labour would be put into 
 the hands of the Reverend Dr. Oriz, and 
 he (the Superior) would, in all subjects 
 connected with the Holy Office, act as his 
 subordinate. He flattered himself that 
 although the secular power had latterly 
 been but little used in Ferrara, the reverend 
 Father would find that he had not been idle. 
 True, they had occasionally employed the 
 secular power, and punished in an exem- 
 plary manner many of those who, after due 
 admonition, had been found obstinate in 
 their heresy, or had relapsed. They had 
 done so the rather as examples and warn- 
 ings to others, as well as to show that the 
 Fathers of the Holy Office were not sleep- 
 ing at their posts. But while the outward 
 demonstrations of energetic action were 
 perhaps less visible in Ferrara than in many 
 other towns in Italy where the foul heresy 
 of Lutheranism or Calvinism had taken root,
 
 THE CONFERENCE. 253 
 
 they should be fully aljle to prove to the 
 reverend Fatlier that they liad been actively 
 employed the while, and were totally free 
 from any charge of lukewarmness. Antici- 
 pating the arrival of the reverend Inquisitor 
 of the faith, they had lately principally 
 occupied themselves in obtaining informa- 
 tion as to the spread of heresy in the 
 Duchy, and what were the numbers and 
 position in life of those infected by it ; and 
 so well had they succeeded that at the 
 present moment he could confidently stat^ 
 they were ripe for action. They had noAv 
 but to place the reins of power in the hands 
 of their reverend brother, and no doubt in 
 a short time there would not be a city in 
 Italy clearer from the stain of heresy than 
 Ferrara. 
 
 Several other speakers followed the 
 Superior of the Dominicans, and among 
 them a monk of the Carthusian Order, 
 whose convent was at Modena, but who had 
 now arrived at Ferrara for the purpose of
 
 254 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 giving the Holy Office a description of the 
 state of the Church in his city. After 
 expressing his great satisfaction at having 
 heard the address, and personally making 
 the acquaintance of the Reverend Dr. 
 Matthew Oriz, of whose reputation as a true 
 soldier of the Church all Christian Europe 
 was well aware, he proceeded to describe 
 the condition of the heretics in the sister 
 city of Modena, and the exertions made by 
 the clergy — especially the monastic orders — 
 to extirpate heresy. He regretted to state 
 that Modena was scarcely less infected than 
 Ferrara itself. In the latter city the 
 populace had been misled by many teachers 
 of eminence and ability, who had not only 
 infected the learned, but obtained their 
 assistance in disseminating the pernicious 
 doctrines they taught. The mass of the 
 populace, unable to understand the sophistry 
 made use of, yet respecting those more 
 learned than themselves, had adopted those 
 doctrines without attempting to understand
 
 THE CONFERENCE. 255 
 
 the fallacious arguments brought forward to 
 support them. In Modena, on the contrary, 
 the Calvinists were, as a rule, of a far less 
 educated class than in Ferrara, and less 
 likely to offer any effectual opposition to 
 the power of the Inquisition. At present, 
 as in Ferrara, the clergy of Modena had for 
 some time past been openly less energetic 
 in their punishment of offenders, but they 
 had in the meantime made themselves 
 thoroughly acquainted with the names, 
 opinions, and ability of those professing 
 heretical doctrines ; and ihey now only 
 waited for the example of Ferrara, to strike 
 one last powerful blow that should put an 
 end to schism in the city. 
 
 A monk from Commacchio next spoke, 
 who described the state of that town as 
 strongly resembling Modena. Several 
 others followed, all of whom agreed tliat 
 the time had now arrived for eneroretic 
 action, and that shortly there would not be 
 found in the whole of the Duchy an indivi-
 
 256 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 dual who was not a true son of the Church 
 of Eome. 
 
 The meeting now broke up, and for some 
 time conversation on the state of the Church 
 and matters relating to ecclesiastical affairs 
 was carried on among the members, who 
 stood in groups till the bell tolled for mass, 
 and the whole assembly then forming them- 
 selves into a procession, entered the magni- 
 ficent church of the Corpus Domini, attached 
 to the convent, where mass was performed 
 with great pomp bv the Archbishop. When 
 it was concluded, the principal doors, which 
 had been closed during the ceremony, were 
 opened to allow the congregation to leave 
 the church. But here an unexpected 
 obstacle presented itself to their quiet de- 
 parture. In the open space before the 
 church an immense crowd had collected, 
 their curiosity having been raised by the 
 large number of ecclesiastics they had seen 
 enter the monastery. Indeed, judging 
 that some ceremony of unusual magnifi-
 
 THE CONFERENCE. 2b7 
 
 cence was likely to be performed in the 
 church, they had assembled to witness it. 
 They were, however, doomed to be disap- 
 pointed, for the sacristans having received 
 notice that the mass would be strictly 
 private, the only persons allowed to be 
 present being ecclesiastics and members of 
 the different orders of monks, the great 
 doors were closed, much to the annoyance 
 of the populace who wished to assist at it. 
 Even when the doors were opened, many 
 rushed forward, anxious to enter the build- 
 ing, and the sacristans and lay-brothers at 
 first experienced much trouble in stopping 
 them. In a short time, however, order was 
 completely restored. The venerable Arch- 
 bishop advanced to the door, followed by the 
 rest of the assembly, with the exception of 
 the Jesuit Pelletario, who remained per- 
 forming some devotions at one of the 
 altars. As soon as the Archbishop was 
 recognised all disorder subsided, and the 
 assembled crowd, after leaving a space for 
 VOL. I. ' 17
 
 258 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 him and those that followed to walk 
 through, devoutly knelt to receive his 
 blessing as he passed. He continued his 
 way onward, bestowing his benediction on 
 them as he went, till he had reached the 
 street leading to the castle, when he entered 
 the litter in which he had arrived at the 
 convent. Those of the clergy who had 
 followed then dispersed to their different 
 homes, and in a short time the excitement 
 which the meeting had caused among the 
 populace completely subsided.
 
 THE TRIAL OF STRENGTH. 259 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 THE TRIAL OF STRENGTH. 
 
 HE Jesuit Pelletario, having been 
 invited to attend the meeting of 
 ecclesiastics to be held in the refec- 
 tory of the convent of the Corpus Domini, 
 left the Palace of San Francesco an hour 
 before the time appointed, for the purpose 
 of first calling at the castle to ascertain 
 whether the Duke had returned to it, and 
 probably, as he had threatened, to inform 
 his Highness that Ochino was then a guest 
 of the Duchess. On arriving at the Grate of 
 the Lions, the sentinel on duty immediately 
 recognised him, and calling to the ofiicer on 
 guard at the inner gate, the drawbridge was 
 lowered to allow him to enter. The officer 
 
 17— a
 
 260 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 received the Duke's confessor with great 
 respect, and begged permission to kiss his 
 hand, which Pelletario allowed him to do, 
 and he then asked if his Highness had re- 
 turned to the castle. 
 
 " He returned at a late hour yesterday 
 evening, Eeverend Father," was the ojficer's 
 reply. 
 
 " Is he here now ?" 
 
 " He is ; but I heard it rumoured that his 
 Highness intends leaving Ferrara this after- 
 noon to visit Belriguardo. How far this is 
 correct I know not; but doubtless the 
 major-domo will be able to give you more 
 accurate information on the subject. Is 
 there anything further I can do to serve 
 you, Eeverend Father?" 
 
 " Nothing at present, I thank you," said 
 Pelletario, and saluting condescendingly 
 those who had gathered around him, he left 
 the gate and proceeded up the grand stair- 
 case to the landing, where he met the major- 
 domo at the doorway leading into the great
 
 THE TRIAL OF STRENGTH. 261 
 
 liall. By this official Pelletario was received 
 with even greater demonstrations of respect 
 than had been shown him by the officer on 
 guard at the drawbridge. To his inquiry 
 in what way he could serve him, Pelletario 
 merely replied by asking if his Highness 
 had left his private apartments. 
 
 "He has, Eeverend Father," was the 
 major-domo's answer. " He is now deeply 
 occupied in his cabinet with two noblemen, 
 with whom he had made an appointment. 
 Indeed, he gave orders that no one was to 
 disturb him ; but doubtless he would make 
 an exception in your case. Shall I inform 
 him you wish to see him ?" 
 
 At first the Jesuit appeared somewhat 
 undecided what answer to make; but at 
 length he said, " Is it true that his Highness 
 intends to leave Ferrara to-day to visit Bel- 
 riguardo ?" 
 
 -It is." 
 
 "At what time does he propose leaving?" 
 
 " Up to the present moment I have re-
 
 262 THE INQUISITOB. 
 
 ceived no precise orders on the subject, 
 beyond that I am to see everything is iu 
 readiness for his departure. I am, however, 
 certain he will not leave before the after- 
 noon." 
 
 ''Why not?" 
 
 " Because his Highness has made an ap- 
 pointment to receive at noon the reverend 
 Dominican, Father Oriz." 
 
 Pelletario heard this intelligence with con- 
 siderable surprise. He remained for some 
 moments silent, and then said, — 
 
 •' Do you know whether the appointment 
 was made at the request of the Duke, or 
 was it asked for b}'^ the reverend Father?" 
 
 " At the request of the reverend Father. 
 Yesterday evening he sent a lay -brother to 
 inquire whether his Highness had arrived ; 
 and on being told that he was not expected 
 till late at night, he went back to the con- 
 vent, and this morning early — in fact, before 
 the Duke had risen from his bed — the same 
 lay-brother returned, and waited till I had
 
 THE TRIAL OF STRENGTH. 263 
 
 an opportunity to deliver his message, to 
 which the Duke replied that he would re- 
 ceive the reverend Father at noon. But 
 shall I tell his Highness you wish to see 
 him ?" 
 
 " No/' said Pelletario, " I will not disturb 
 him now, for no doubt he is occupied on 
 business of importance. I will return 
 later." 
 
 So saying, the Jesuit took leave of the 
 major-domo, and descending the staircase, 
 quitted the castle. 
 
 The pace of Pelletario on his way to the 
 convent was slow and deliberate in the ex- 
 treme, and an expression of deep thought 
 was on his face. So pre-occupied was he 
 that he took but little notice of the respect- 
 ful salutations he received from those he 
 met on the road, an omission the more re- 
 markable on his part, as he was habitually 
 courteous and condescending to all. Nor 
 was he without cause for his pre-occupation. 
 As father-confessor to the Duke, his position
 
 4 
 
 264 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 was one of tlie most influential in the state, 
 and he was universally courted and flattered. 
 Hitherto he had been without a rival, but 
 was that likely to continue? From the 
 regular clergy and monastic orders in the 
 city he had little cause for anxiety, but his 
 mind was by no means clear with regard to 
 Oriz. True, he only knew him by reputa- 
 tion, but fame spoke of him as a man of 
 great ability, much liked by the monarchs 
 of Spain and France. Besides, he had great 
 confidence placed in him by his Holiness. 
 To have arrived at such eminence he calcu- 
 lated must have required something more 
 than profound theological learning and great 
 energy in the cause of the Eoman Catholic 
 religion. He must also be possessed of that 
 valuable qualification — the power to make 
 himself liked by the princes of the earth, 
 and if he had already succeeded so well with 
 others, might he not be equally successful 
 with the Duke ? True, Oriz had not suc- 
 ceeded at his interview with the Duchess,
 
 TEE TRIAL OF STRENGTH. 265 
 
 but he (Pelletario) had also been unable to 
 convince her. One difference, however, he 
 could discover between his own interview 
 with Eenee, and that of Oriz. Although 
 she had positively refused to listen to his 
 arguments, he parted from her without any 
 display of anger on her part, while she had 
 evidently been greatly offended with Oriz ; 
 and Eenee was not of a disposition easily to 
 forget a personal affront. At the same time 
 the Jesuit could not help admitting that 
 the very energy of the Dominican whiqji 
 had caused so much anger in the breast of 
 the Duchess might have a contrary effect 
 with her husband. All things considered, 
 Pelletario could not disguise from himself 
 that his power and position were at the 
 moment in jeopardy, and that it behoved 
 him to play his part with great caution. 
 To be the better able to do this, he deter- 
 mined, if possible, to have a trial of strength 
 that day with the Inquisitor, and judge by 
 the result whether he had as formidable an
 
 THE INQUI8IT0B. 
 
 adversary to deal with as at first sight 
 appeared probable. 
 
 It will be remembered that when the 
 mass terminated, and the assemb]y of 
 divines quitted the church, Pelletario alone 
 remained performing some devotional act 
 before one of the altars. This, however, 
 ended shortly after the church was cleared. 
 Then rising from his knees, he requested 
 the sacristan to allow him to pass by the 
 private way which led from the church into 
 the convent, as he wished to have an inter- 
 view with the ^Reverend Doctor Oriz. The 
 sacristan — to whom, of course, Pelletario 
 was well-known — with profound respect, 
 not only conducted him through the pri- 
 vate door leading into the convent, but was 
 on the point of accompanying him across 
 the quadrangle to the cell occupied by Oriz, 
 when the latter was seen descending the 
 staircase, with his head covered, and evi- 
 dently on the point of leaving the 
 building.
 
 TEE TRIAL OF STRENGTH. 267 
 
 Pelletario, having dismissed the sacristan, 
 now advanced towards the Dominican. 
 
 " Pardon my interrupting you," he said, 
 "but I was loth to return to the Palace 
 without first complimenting you on your 
 admirable address to the meeting this 
 morning. Had our Church possessed a few 
 more advocates with your ability and energy, 
 the lamentable schism which has afflicted 
 Christendom would never have taken the 
 deep root it has. At the same time we 
 have reason to be thankful that at last ope 
 has sprung up amongst us who will crush 
 with his heel the head of the serpent which 
 hitherto has remained with comparative im- 
 punity in the city." 
 
 "You do me too much honour," said 
 Oriz, humbly ; " or, if I have shown any of 
 the energy or ability for which you compli- 
 ment me, I am indebted to a far higher 
 power than my own talent or inspiration." 
 
 "At least, you must admit," said Pelle- 
 tario, " that if I am in error, I am not alone
 
 268 THE INQUISITOB. 
 
 in it, and the manner in which the whole 
 assembly of divines hailed the idea that you 
 were about to assume the direction of the 
 Inquisition in Ferrara proves it." 
 
 " Still, it might rather be attributed to 
 their kind feeling than to my merits," said 
 Oriz. "Yet flattering as their reception 
 was, it rather pained than pleased me, as it 
 seemed to convey the idea, that our reverend 
 brother, the Superior of the convent, had 
 not, in their estimation, conducted the 
 affairs of the Holy Office with sufficient 
 energy. With such a view I by no means 
 agree. He has had great difficulties to 
 contend with ; more so than usually falls to 
 the lot of our office, in the opposition 
 shown him by her Highness the Duchess. 
 On the whole, I consider he has conducted 
 the duties of the Holy Office with great dis- 
 cretion and ability." 
 
 " I perfectly agree with you," said Pelle- 
 tario, ''in the opinion you have formed of 
 the ability and energy of our reverend
 
 THE TRIAL OF STRENGTH. 269 
 
 brother, the Superior of the convent, and I 
 am much pleased to hear the kind view you 
 take of his conduct. But, pardon me," he 
 continued, looking on the sun-dial at the 
 wall, " for detaining you, for I perceive you 
 are about to quit the convent. I wish to 
 Visit his Highness to-day at noon ; so, 
 unless you are going my way, I will bid 
 you good morning." 
 
 "It is my intention likewise to call upon 
 his Highness," said Oriz ; "in fact, I have 
 received his commands to do so." 
 
 " If I should not be disturbing your me- 
 ditations, or appear indiscreet," said Pelle- 
 tario, " I should much like to accompany 
 you. 
 
 The Dominican having expressed the 
 pleasure he should feel in Pelletario's societ}^ 
 the two monks quitted the convent together. 
 
 As the time that would elapse in passing 
 from the Dominican convent to the castle, 
 at even the ordinary slow and deliberate 
 pace usually maintained by ecclesiastics,
 
 270 THE INQUmiTOB. 
 
 would scarcely exceed a quarter of an hour, 
 Pelletario easily perceived he had but little 
 time to lose in his trial of strength with the 
 Dominican, and without further delay he 
 commenced operations. 
 
 " If I may be allowed to put a question 
 of the kind," he said to Oriz, " is your in- 
 terview with the Duke on a subject of 
 private or public importance ?" 
 
 "I hardly know, my brother, how to 
 answer your question," said Oriz, after a 
 moment's hesitation. "Pray be more ex- 
 plicit." 
 
 " My sole reason for inquiring," said 
 Pelletario, " is, that if it were upon a sub- 
 ject solely of public interest connected with 
 the Holy Office, without anything confiden- 
 tial being mixed with it, I thought perhaps 
 I might be able to assist you with some in- 
 formation which I, perhaps erroneously, 
 think important." 
 
 " Many thanks for the offer," said Oriz. 
 "It is in connexion with the affairs of
 
 THE TRIAL OF 8T11ENGTH, 27 L 
 
 the Holy Office tliat I have requested this 
 interview with his Highness. But, can- 
 didly, no inconsiderable portion of it is of a 
 kind which, at first at any rate, should only 
 meet the private ear of the Duke. At the 
 same time, understand me, I shall, in the 
 interests of our holy cause, be most grateful 
 to you for any information you may give 
 me. 
 
 " The subject on which I was about to 
 speak to you," said Pelletario, "is one 
 which not only regards the Holy Office, l^ut 
 his Highness as well. At the same time it 
 is one of much delicacy. I should have 
 taken upon myself to inform his Highness 
 of it, and had called at the Palace this 
 morning for that purpose, but as the Duke 
 at the time was busily engaged I did not 
 disturb him. On mature reflection, as the 
 subject is a somewhat painful one, and 
 coming perfectly within the duties of the 
 Holy Office, I thought it perhaps might be 
 better to confide it to you, that you might
 
 272 THE INQUISITOE. 
 
 be the first person to inform his Highness 
 of it." 
 
 " Anything I can do to serve his High- 
 ness, or be of use to our holy cause, I will 
 readily attempt/' said Oriz. " Might I 
 ask to what you allude ?" 
 
 Pelletario remained silent for a moment, 
 as if hardly daring to communicate a secret 
 of such importance even to the Inquisitor 
 himself. At length he said, "You will 
 hardly believe, Eeverend Brother, what I am 
 about to communicate to you, though at 
 the same time I assure you solemnly it is a 
 fact. That misguided man and arch- 
 heretic, Bernardino Ochino, is at this mo- 
 ment in Terrara, and a guest of her High- 
 ness the Duchess." 
 
 As Pelletario spoke this, he glanced fur- 
 tively at his companion, anxious to notice 
 the effect so weighty a communication 
 would make on him ; but not the slightest 
 surprise or emotion was visible on the coun- 
 tenance of the Dominican.
 
 THE TRIAL OF STRENGTH, 278 
 
 " My dear brother," he replied to Pelle- 
 tario, " of that fact I am well aware, and it 
 is one of the reasons which has induced me 
 to demand an interview with his Highness 
 this morning." 
 
 Although the countenance of Oriz had 
 remained impassive when Pelletario com- 
 municated to him the intelligence, not so 
 the features of the Jesuit on hearing the 
 Dominican's repl}^ The idea seemed to 
 cross his mind whether it was not possible 
 that the Dominican intended to profit by 
 the discovery he (Pelletario) had made. To 
 assure himself on this point he said to 
 Oriz — 
 
 " Your means of obtaining information 
 are wonderful. I should hardly have thought 
 the organization of the Holy Office so per- 
 fect as it appears to be. Might I ask if 
 you are aware how long Ochino has been in 
 Perrara ?" 
 
 " Only two or three days," said Oriz. 
 " Short, however, as the time has been, he 
 
 VOL. I. 18
 
 274 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 has already held a prayer- meeting in the 
 Palace of the Duchess, which was attended 
 by many of the heads of the schismatics." 
 And here Oriz not only named several of 
 the principal persons present on the occa- 
 sion, but told Pelletario the text Ochino 
 had selected for his sermon, and the dif- 
 ferent arguments he had brought forward 
 to elucidate it. 
 
 ''Do you know in what manner he con- 
 trived to enter the city?" inquired Pelle- 
 tario. 
 
 "I think," said Oriz, "you were not in 
 the refectory before the meeting, when the 
 General of the Capuchins narrated to us the 
 adventures of an old man, who introduced 
 into the city late at night a stranger clad in 
 the frock of a Friar of their order?" 
 
 " I was not," said Pelletario. 
 
 " Because that disguised Capuchin Friar 
 was no other than Ochino." 
 
 " Pardon me," said Pelletario, " but are 
 you quite sure your information is correct ?
 
 THL' TRIAL OF STRENGTH. 275 
 
 Ochino does not wear tl\e frock of his old 
 order, but is dressed more in tlie style of a 
 professor of tlie University." 
 
 "Of that I am also aware," said Oriz; 
 " still the information of the old man was 
 perfectly correct. The dress he now wears 
 is one belonging to the Judge Biagio 
 Rosetti, and the frock, the cowl, and cord 
 in which he was disguised when he entered 
 Ferrara, as well as the sandals he wore, are 
 now concealed in a chest in one of the 
 rooms in the house of the Judge." 
 
 Pellatario now made no attempt to con- 
 ceal the expression of astonishment on his 
 features at the extraordinary minuteness of 
 the information Oriz had received. The 
 Inquisitor, with something approaching an 
 expression of triumph on his countenance, 
 glanced at the astonishment stamped on 
 the features of his companion. 
 
 "But, my brother," he continued, "all 
 things are ordered for the best ; and that 
 wicked man will now be cauofht in the
 
 THE INQUI8IT0B. 
 
 trap which he himself has laid, and another 
 enemy of our Church will be crushed at 
 the very moment when he considers him- 
 self in the most perfect security." 
 
 Oriz had turned his glance from his 
 companion's face when he made this remark, 
 or he might have perceived that the ex- 
 pression of astonishment had vanished 
 from Pelletario's countenance and a pecu- 
 liar sardonic smile occupied its place. The 
 Jesuit said nothing, and his companion 
 continued — 
 
 " But are there any other points you 
 wish to communicate to me prior to my 
 interview with his Highness ? Allow me 
 first to say that I much admire your dis- 
 cretion in placing the duty of communi- 
 cating the intelligence to the Duke on an 
 humble officer of the Holy Inquisition. 
 At the same time," he continued, with 
 something like patronage in his tone, " be 
 assured, as soon as the first burst of in-
 
 THE TRIAL OF STRENGTH. ^11 
 
 dignation which naturally will arise in the 
 mind of his Highness has somewhat 
 subsided, I will not fail to inform him 
 of the energy and discretion you have 
 shown in the matter. Truly, the Duke 
 is to be congratulated on having chosen 
 a confessor of so much tact and ex- 
 perience." 
 
 The conversation continued a few mi- 
 nutes longer, until they reached the draw- 
 bridge, which was immediately lowered to 
 allow them to enter ; and they passed into the 
 great hall till the major-domo should arrive 
 to inform them his Highness was in readi- 
 ness to receive them. Little animation did 
 Pelletario show in his tone and manner, and 
 on being asked by Oriz if he had any further 
 communication to make, the Jesuit told him 
 he had not, and then added, with something 
 like bitterness in his tone, " At least, none 
 which I am certain is not in your possession 
 already." Then, quitting his companion, he
 
 278 THE INQUISITOR. 
 
 seemed apparently to watch the efforts of 
 some workmen who were then occupied in 
 terminating the repairs in that portion of 
 the Este Palace. 
 
 At length the major-domo entered the 
 hall, and informed the two monks that his 
 Highness was ready to receive them ; and 
 they followed him into his presence, where 
 they were received by the Duke with equal 
 kindness and amiability. 
 
 " I hear you called at the Castle this morn- 
 ing to see me," he said to Pelletario. " I 
 regret you did not allow the major-domo to 
 tell me you were here. I wanted to inform 
 you that it is my intention to leave the 
 Castle for Belriguardo this afternoon, and I 
 much wish you to accompany me. I trust 
 you will be able to do so, although the 
 notice is of the shortest." 
 
 " I shall have much pleasure in obeying 
 the commands of your Highness," said 
 Pelletario, with great satisfaction in his tone,
 
 THE TRIAL OF STRENGTH. 279 
 
 for the idea at that moment had occurred to 
 him, that he would have ample leisure 
 when with the Duke to neutralize any 
 ascendancy Oriz might have gained over 
 his illustrious penitent's mind. "I will 
 be at your service at any time you may 
 appoint." 
 
 " I propose leaving in about an hour," 
 said the Duke ; " and I have already given 
 orders that your mule should be in 
 readiness for you. Will you be able to 
 accompany me at so short a notice ?" 
 
 " Certainly, your Highness," said Pelleta- 
 rio. "I will take my leave of you for the 
 present, unless you have any further orders 
 to give me." 
 
 "You can do so, if you have nothing 
 more you wish now to say to me. If you 
 have, I am at your service, otherwise the 
 Eeverend Father Oriz wishes for some 
 private conversation with me." 
 
 "I will interrupt your Highness no
 
 280 THE INQUISITOE. 
 
 longer," said Pelletario. " In an hour's time 
 I will be ready at the Castle for your depar- 
 ture ;" and then bowing with great humility, 
 both to the Duke and the Dominican, the 
 Jesuit left the apartments. 
 
 END OF VOL, I. 
 
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