investigation, such as no other tribunal of the period would have given to such a case, though the archiepiscopal authorities were wiser, when they promptly recognized Benito's madness. [Sidenote: _THE DEFENCE--INSANITY_] A nymphomaniac, in 1688, caused the Valencia tribunal an even longer term of perplexity. Francisca García was arrested, March 28th, as an _alumbrada_--one of the mystics against whom the Inquisition waged unrelenting warfare. She frankly admitted her sexual excesses, which she said were in obedience to the voice of God. During audiences at long intervals her talk was so irrational that insanity was suspected. Physicians were called in, who reported that she seemed to suffer from some mental weakness, and the alcaide said that he could not determine whether it was weakness or malice. Calificadores were consulted, who postponed for further decision the question whether she was hallucinated, crazy, or possessed. So it went on for two years and a half until, on September 19, 1690, it was resolved to keep her in prison but that, before presenting the accusation, another consultation with calificadores should be had. They examined her and reported that she cried aloud and wept and ejaculated and answered no questions directly, but still asserted that carnal indulgence was embracing God, so they reserved their opinions till another time. Eighteen months passed away and, in March, 1692, she sought an audience in which she threw herself on the ground and with tears begged to be taught; she knew that she ought to be content with her husband and, with screams and cries she declared that she could not resist temptation save with the aid of God. A consulta de fe was promptly held, and another in January, 1693, which could only recommend her detention, in view of the evils to be apprehended if she were allowed to communicate with others. Then two years and a half more elapsed, with occasional reports from the alcaide and secretary, to the effect that latterly the poor creature no longer talked lasciviously, in view of which it was voted, July 1, 1695, that the accusation should be presented and that calificadores should again examine her. To the report of this the Suprema replied in vigorous language, pointing out that this was only recommencing the eternal round, and that the case promised to be immortal; it ordered that the prosecution should be promptly carried on in the usual way and the sentence be submitted for its approbation. Here the record before us breaks off and the final action is unknown, but it is evident that the unfortunate woman was to be treated as responsible, the hesitation of the tribunal having only resulted in her incarceration for more than seven years in a dungeon (_calabozo_) where, if not insane at first, she probably became so in the darkness and despair of interminable confinement.[169] However humane intentions might be, prejudice and ignorance misled them to cruelty.