“Isidora was silent, but her silence was not that of sullen apathy, or of conscience-seared impenitence. At length Fra Jose seated himself on the foot of the pallet, at some distance from the prisoner, who was also sitting, and bending her cheek, down which a cold tear slowly flowed, over her infant. “Daughter,” said the monk, collecting himself, “it is to the indulgence of the holy office I owe this permission to visit you.”--“I thank them,” said Isidora, and her tears flowed fast and relievingly. “I am permitted also to tell you that your examination will take place to-morrow,--to adjure you to prepare for it,--and, if there be any thing which”---- “My examination!” repeated Isidora with surprise, but evidently without terror, “on what subject am I then to be examined?”--“On that of your inconceivable union with a being devoted and accursed.” His voice was choaked with horror, and he added, “Daughter, are you then indeed the wife of--of--that being, whose name makes the flesh creep, and the hair stand on end?”--“I am.”--“Who were the witnesses of your marriage, and what hand dared to bind yours with that unholy and unnatural bond?”--“There were no witnesses--we were wedded in darkness. I saw no form, but I thought I heard words uttered--I know I felt a hand place mine in Melmoth’s--its touch was as cold as that of the dead.”--“Oh complicated and mysterious horror!” said the priest, turning pale, and crossing himself with marks of unfeigned terror; he bowed his head on his arm for some time, and remained silent from unutterable emotion. “Father,” said Isidora at length, “you knew the hermit who lived amid the ruins of the monastery near our house,--he was a priest also,--he was a holy man, it was he who united us!” Her voice trembled.---- “Wretched victim!” groaned the priest, without raising his head, “you know not what you utter--that holy man is known to have died the very night preceding that of your dreadful union.” “Another pause of mute horror followed, which the priest at length broke.--“Unhappy daughter,” said he in a composed and solemn voice, “I am indulged with permission to give you the benefit of the sacrament of confession, previous to your examination. I adjure you to unburden your soul to me,--will you?”--“I will, my father.”--“Will you answer me, as you would answer at the tribunal of God?”--“Yes,--as I would answer at the tribunal of God.” As she spake, she prostrated herself before the priest in the attitude of confession. * * * * * * *