Love Letters of a Portuguese Nun Page #4

together. He leads a very godly life.

He's a demon. He forces me to do things

that are so disgusting and shameless

that l cannot talk to you about them.

They tried to convince me

that l was imagining it all, but it's real.

Believe me.

These things don't concern me.

l can't interfere with life in the convent.

Only the judges of the Holy lnquisition

can examine this.

Then lead me to them.

l'm sure they are wise and just.

And they will save the sinners' souls.

Help me.

God will reward you for helping a poor girl.

l'm not sure how to do that.

l have my doubts. Well, we shall see.

Gee up!

- We must find her.

- Don't worry. The witch won't escape us.

l swear she won't.

Whoa! Slow down.

Halt!

Praised be Jesus Christ, Mother Alma.

Greetings, Father. Here we are.

- This novice came to me today.

- There's no need to explain. We know why.

My poor, lost little sheep. lt was prudent

of you to bring her back right away.

We were very worried about her.

She's a little confused.

Never do anything like that again.

l suspected as much. She wanted to see

the judges of the lnquisition.

lf l hadn't been sensible,

we might be there now.

She was talking at me

as if she were possessed by the devil.

And the things she said about you!

So l said to myself, ''Take her to the abbess.

''She knows how to handle her

better than you.''

And so do you, Father. You're an expert

when it comes to young souls.

lt was a wise decision.

We appreciate your helpfulness.

- Well, if one can be of assistance...

- You've served us excellently.

lt's your own fault.

Now we'll have to see

if you're possessed by the devil.

What a pity.

lf you don't confess it to us, we will hand

you over to the court of the lnquisition.

They have means which...

She must want the lnquisition

to save her soul.

Why else would she have asked

the alcalde to take her there?

lsn't it possible that she intended

to denounce us there, the dangerous witch?

The witch will soon confess this to us.

But probably not until we're torturing her.

That's the best method after all.

lt makes people talk.

We'll only use it to spare her the lnquisition

and to protect the reputation of the order.

As soon as the witch confesses,

we can dispense with further interrogation.

- Are you possessed by the devil?

- No!

The lnquisition's henchmen

will squeeze the information out of you.

No, no, no!

- Show her the pincers.

- No!

Then confess

that you're possessed by the devil.

..to death by fire.

Lead her out.

Reverend Brother Crespo. Excuse me.

The Dominican Father Vincente da Silva

requests an audience.

Tell him that it is granted.

Father Vincente?

What could he have for us?

We're delighted to see

our brother here with us.

- Forgive me, Your Eminence.

- Speak frankly.

A matter of great urgency brings me to you.

A novice of our convent is suspected

of dishonouring our faith

and being in league with the devil.

- She hasn't confessed yet.

- And you think we will make her confess?

l don't see any other way of saving her soul.

lt would be extremely helpful

if you could take care of her.

A heretic who is suspected

of being a paramour of the devil

should be granted

the mercy of the lnquisition.

That's true, but not everyone approves

of us. Devout faith is often scorned.

lt is becoming difficult to execute sentences,

even if the accused has been found guilty.

The Grand lnquisitor's power

is wearing off...

..in the battle with the secular powers.

Mother Alma! Sisters, call the abbess.

His Eminence the lnquisitor is here.

Hurry up! Go and get the abbess

and the novice Marie.

Hurry up!

- Call Mother Alma.

- What's the matter?

- The lnquisitor is here.

- He's come here himself?

Let's hurry.

Antonia, Martina, go and get

the novice Marie from her confinement cell.

l'll make sure

she won't even get a word in edgeways.

Your Eminence.

- Eminence?

- My child?

Thank you for coming.

ln our helplessness, we really need you.

lt is duty that brings me here, Mother,

official duty.

But, as you know, it's a great pleasure

for us to see you again.

My Father.

How unfortunate.

She's barely 14 years old,

and she's already a sinner.

Please give me your blessing, Father.

Conte de Ariano, have the carriages stop.

Stop the carriages.

ln the name of

His Majesty Prince Manuel, stop.

Are you deaf?

Stop in the name of His Majesty!

Outrageous! They're simply carrying on.

- Who was that?

- His Eminence, the lnquisitor.

- And the girl?

- Probably a so-called witch.

- l'll put a stop to this.

- But how, Your Majesty?

Until you can prove that witches don't exist,

the church will continue to burn them.

l shall teach them otherwise.

You are Marie Rosalia Coutinho,

and you're 14 years old?

Yes, Your Eminence.

ls it true or false

that you are possessed by the devil?

l am. lt is true.

Have you had unchaste relationships

to your fellow sisters under his influence?

Yes, l have.

ls it true or false that you have sacrificed

your virginity to Satan

and that you could be called a paramour?

Yes, Your Excellence, it is true.

That is what l am.

You are an apostate heretic,

which is perfectly sufficient for the sentence.

Take her back to the dungeon

until we execute her.

Before you do that, you should interrogate

the ones who were accessories to my fall -

the abbess, who calls herself

''High Priestess'', and the disciplinarian.

They asked me to do evil things.

lt is they who are possessed by evil.

They seduced me, violated me

and sacrificed me to him in a sinful manner.

- Are you going to listen to any more of this?

- Slanderer!

To the dungeon with her.

Even at the stake she will insist on her lie.

The devil's spirit is within her.

She's a perverted witch.

Reverend Abbess, dear Brother Vincente,

there's no need for further evidence.

We've already passed judgement on her.

There is no doubt that she is guilty.

Which means that she'll be burnt publicly

as a recidivous heretic.

The accusations against you

will be dealt with in a separate trial later.

- You dare to put us on trial?

- Then l ask you to begin immediately.

- Quiet!

- Keep calm, dear Brother and Sister.

We don't believe the statement of a witch

who is possessed by the devil.

But the Brother Secretary is right to request

this trial. lt's in the interest of our church.

lf he has overzealously

overestimated his duty in this case,

we'll find a better solution for you.

lt should be possible

to convince the accused

to withdraw her false allegations

against you by signing a document.

These will then be deleted

from the transcript.

That is the common procedure, isn't it?

So l suggest you get this signature

and thus spare us

a bothersome interrogation.

No effort is wasted if you manage to bring

this sinner closer to the Lord again...

..before He delivers her

from her sins in the fire.

- So, will you withdraw your allegation?

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