Ambrosio was beckoned to advance, and take his station at the lower end of the Table.

As his eye glanced downwards, He perceived various iron instruments lying scattered upon the floor.

Their forms were unknown to him, but apprehension immediately guessed them to be engines of torture.

He turned pale, and with difficulty prevented himself from sinking upon the ground.
Profound silence prevailed, except when the Inquisitors whispered a few words among themselves mysteriously.

Near an hour past away, and with every second of it Ambrosio's fears grew more poignant.