“The personal narrative of Dellon affords a distinct exemplification of the sufferings of the prisoners.  He had been told that, when he desired an audience, he had only to call a jailer, and ask it, when it would be allowed him.  But, notwithstanding many tears and entreaties, he could not obtain one until fifteen days had passed away.  Then came the alcayde and one of his guards.  This alcayde walked first out of the cell; Dellon uncovered and shorn, and with legs and feet bare, followed him; the guard walked behind.  The alcayde just entered the place of audience, made a profound reverence, stepped back and allowed his charge to enter.  The door closed, and Dellon remained alone with the inquisitor and secretary.  He knelt; but Don Fernando sternly bade him to sit on a bench, placed there for the use of the culprits.  Near him, on a table, lay a missal, on which they made him lay his hand, and swear to keep secrecy, and tell them the truth.  They asked if he knew the cause of his imprisonment, and whether he was resolved to confess it.  He told them all he could recollect of unguarded sayings at Damaun, either in argument or conversation, without ever, that he knew, contradicting, directly or indirectly, any article of faith.  He had, at some time dropped an offensive word concerning the Inquisition, but so light a word, that it did not occur to his remembrance.  Don Fernando told him he had done well in accusing himself so willingly, and exhorted him in the name of Jesus Christ, to complete his self accusation fully, to the end that he might experience the goodness and mercy which were used in that tribunal towards those who showed true repentance by a sincere and unforced confession.  The secretary read aloud the confession and exhortation, Dellon signed it, Don Fernando rang a silver bell, the alcayde walked in, and, in a few moments, the disappointed victim was again in his dungeon.

“At the end of another fortnight, and without having asked for it, he was again taken to audience.  After a repetition of the former questions, he was asked his name, surname, baptism, confirmation, place of abode, in what parish? in what diocess? under what bishop?  They made him kneel, and make the sign of the cross, repeat the Pater Noster, Hail Mary, creed, commandments of God, commandments of the church, and Salve Begins.  He did it all very cleverly, and even to their satisfaction; but the grand inquisitor exhorted him, by the tender mercies of our Lord Jesus Christ, to confess without delay, and sent him to the cell again.  His heart sickened.  They required him to do what was impossible—­to confess more, after he had acknowledged all.  In despair, he tried to starve himself to death; ’but they compelled him to take food.’  Day and night he wept, and at length betook himself to prayer, imploring pity of the ‘blessed Virgin,’ whom he imagined to be, of all beings, the most merciful, and the most ready to give him help.