Frederick Marryat

“ Amine Vanderdecken, be not obstinate."
"I am not obstinate, good Father. Have you not offered me, what is to me beyond all price, that I should again be in the arms of my husband? Can I degrade myself to a lie? not for life, or liberty or even for my Philip."
"Amine Vanderdecken, if you will confess your crime, before you are accused, you will have done much; after your accusation has been made, it will be of little avail." ”

“ Father Mathias quitted the cell, pleased with the last words of Amine. The idea of her husband's danger seemed to have startled her.
Amine threw herself down on the mattress, in the corner of the cell, and hid her face.
"Burnt alive!" exclaimed she after a time, sitting up, and passing her hands over her forehead. "Burnt alive! and these are Christians. This, then, was the cruel death foretold by that creature, Schriften—foretold—yes, and therefore must be: it is my destiny: I cannot save myself. If I confess, then, I confess that Philip is wedded to a sorceress, and he will be punished too. ”

“ It was on the third day after her second examination, that the bolts were removed at an unusual hour, and Father Mathias entered the cell, which was again barred, and he was left alone with Amine. "My child! my child!" exclaimed Father Mathias, with sorrow in his countenance.
"Nay, Father, this is mockery. It is you who brought me here—leave me."
"I brought you here, 'tis true; but I would now remove you, if you will permit me, Amine."
"Most willingly; I'll follow you."
"Nay, nay! there is much to talk over, much to be done. This is not a dungeon from which people can escape so easily." ”