But what is your highness's idea for racking the prisoner?
Where is the profit ?" "He will not confess, else; and then were his soul lost.

For his crime his life is forfeited by the law--and of a surety will I see that he payeth it!--but it were peril to my own soul to let him die unconfessed and unabsolved.

Nay, I were a fool to fling me into hell for _his_ accommodation." "But, your Highness, suppose he has nothing to confess ?" "As to that, we shall see, anon.

An I rack him to death and he confess not, it will peradventure show that he had indeed naught to confess--ye will grant that that is sooth?
Then shall I not be damned for an unconfessed man that had naught to confess -- wherefore, I shall be safe." It was the stubborn unreasoning of the time.

It was useless to argue with her.