Mirano: Our idea is to talk to her calmly and explain to her the truth of Christian creed, but on condition thatexcept one or two monks none othersshould be with us. Now that the sun is about to set, after three hours of thenight you may bring her here so that we may induce her to pray and practise austerities. Possibly there will be no need thereafter to persuade her and by the blessing of Virgin Mary (pointing to the statue) her heart will be opened for the crucified God.Chief monk: Whatever you order we are ready to carry out. I am directing all the monks not to interfere in your prayers and keep away from you.Mirano : Thank you very much, but first let us meet Isabella in the underground chamber and after some usual talk exclusively on personal matters bring her here. (Pointing to the statue of Virgin Mary)Look, the Mother of our Lord is quite ready to take Isabella in her arms and it is hoped that Isabella will not refuse to go to her arms.Thereafter the monk and the three girls went towards the underground chamber, the lock was opened and all were lost in darkness.Hanana: Oho ! How dark !Monk: I am lighting the lamp. You just go a little ahead, but be careful not to stumble for many skeletons are scattered all over here.The monk lighted the lamp. When Isabella saw her three friends she was overjoyed. While Mirano, Mertha and Hanana had not yet seen her, Isabella loudly called the Muslim salutation of peace.Monk: O unlucky accursed girl! Just yesterday you got so much beating for it, yet you do not take lesson and reform yourself.All the girls suddenly laughed on hearing the call of Muslim salutationof peace, but when they came nearer their eyes became wet on seeing Isabella bound in chains.Mirano: How do you do, Isabella? How is life here? Did you realise whatis the punishment of rejecting the truth?Isabella (smiling): You are right, sister, for the sake of truth people have even gone to the gallows.Mirano: We have not come here to discuss with you but to adopt your creed.On this all the girls laughed loudly and the two monks also could not suppress their laughter.Mirano: Isabella, after all how long you will continue to remain in the grip of satan? Just see how the Christians all over Cordova are perturbed on your apostasy!Isabella: There is no other way of protection from satan except by accepting Islam. It is only this strong fort from the cover of which man can successfully confront all satanic powers. It is a vain thought that only by becoming a Christian one can save oneself from the grip of satan. You have read the Bible and should know that even holy Disciples could not escape satan’s grip and even Jesus Christ called some of his Disciples satan. When these Disciples who, according to you, were trained under the direct supervision of Jesus Christ, could notescape from satan’s strong hold, how can Christians of today save themselves from satan? But the Quran says that satan cannot even touch the devoted servants of Allah.Mirano: You have again started the same discussion in which you have been defeated by the priests (laughing) and by God’s grace we have emerged successful. So you should stop this religious discussionand just look to your tortures. O Isabella! It is God’s punishment to you that now, being the daughter of the head priest of Cordova, you sleep on the bed of thorns and your hands and feet are chained. For God’s sake, take pity on yourself.
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