صفحة 139 من 483

"I did confess, but I confessed a lie. I confessed, that I might

obtain absolution; but now that falsehood lies heavier at my

heart than all my other sins. The God of heaven forgive me! Ever

since I was condemned, my confessor has besieged me; he

threatened and menaced, until I almost began to think that I was

the monster that he said I was. He threatened excommunication and

hell fire in my last moments if I continued obdurate. Dear lady,

I had none to support me; all looked on me as a wretch doomed to

ignominy and perdition. What could I do? In an evil hour I

subscribed to a lie; and now only am I truly miserable."