six o'clock in the morning
Ritualistic forms and ceremonies , and public processions , and , still more , the insidious teaching of numbers professing to be ministers of religion , are accustoming the people to a system which must end in their subjugation to sacerdotal despotism . An immense concourse of people of the lower ranks closed the procession , vociferating to one another , with open eyes and necks stretched out eager to catch a sight of the condemned prisoners and the grand inquisitors as they ascended their respective platforms . The latter took their places , and then the Queen-Regent and the young prince took their places in the royal box , or bed of state , as it was called , surrounded by a number of the chief nobility of the kingdom . It was six o'clock in the morning , and the sun was already glittering on the gilded crosses and other devices on the tops of the banners , when , the company having taken their places , Francisco Baca , the presiding inquisitor , was seen advancing to the bed of state on which the Regent and her nephew were seated ; and then , in an authoritative tone , he proffered to them an oath to support the Holy Office , and to reveal to it everything contrary to the faith which might come to their knowledge . The Prince was seen to hesitate , and not till urged by his aunt would he consent to take the oath . It was the first time such an oath had been exacted from any of the Royal Family . Poor Prince !