how fire will feel when it eats up that delicate flesh of yours?"

"I do not know and I shall never know," she answered quietly.

"Do you mean that you will die before it touches you, building on some
promise of your master, Satan?"

"Yes, I shall die before the fire touches me; but not here and now, and
I build upon a promise from the Master of us all in heaven."

He laughed, a shrill, nervous laugh, and called out loud to the people
around--

"This witch says that she will not burn, for Heaven has promised it to
her. Do you not, Witch?"

"Yes, I say so; bear witness to my words, good people all," replied
Cicely in clear and ringing tones.

"Well, we'll see," shouted the Abbot. "Man, bring flame, and let
Heaven--or hell--help her if it can!"

The cook-executioner blew at his brands, but he was nervous, or clumsy,
and a minute or more went by before they flamed. At length one was fit
for the task, and unwillingly enough he stooped to lift it up.

Then it was that in the midst of the intense silence, for of all that
multitude none seemed even to breathe, and old Bridget, who had fainted,
cried no more, a bull's voice was heard beyond the brow of the hill,
roaring--