Forgetting the consequences, and only anxious to escape the terrors of the present moment, He made an ample confession.

He disclosed every circumstance of his guilt, and owned not merely the crimes with which He was charged, but those of which He had never been suspected.

Being interrogated as to Matilda's flight which had created much confusion, He confessed that She had sold herself to Satan, and that She was indebted to Sorcery for her escape.
He still assured his Judges that for his own part He had never entered into any compact with the infernal Spirits; But the threat of being tortured made him declare himself to be a Sorcerer, and Heretic, and whatever other title the Inquisitors chose to fix upon him.

In consequence of this avowal, his sentence was immediately pronounced.
He was ordered to prepare himself to perish in the Auto da Fe, which was to be solemnized at twelve o'clock that night.

This hour was chosen from the idea that the horror of the flames being heightened by the gloom of midnight, the execution would have a greater effect upon the mind of the People.
Ambrosio rather dead than alive was left alone in his dungeon.