Mydeskwasopen，andallmypaperswereonatablewhereIwasaccustomedtowrite。
　　"Takethem，"saidI，totheagentofthedreadfulTribunal，pointingtothepaperswhichcoveredthetable。Hefilledabagwiththem，andgaveittooneofthesbirri，andthentoldmethatImustalsogiveuptheboundmanuscriptswhichIhadinmypossession。Ishewedhimwheretheywere，andthisincidentopenedmyeyes。Isawnow，clearlyenough，thatIhadbeenbetrayedbythewretchManuzzi。Thebookswere，"TheKeyofSolomontheKing，""TheZecorben，"a"Picatrix，"abookof"InstructionsonthePlanetaryHours，"andthenecessaryincantationsforconversingwithdemonsofallsorts。
　　ThosewhowereawarethatIpossessedthesebookstookmeforanexpertmagician，andIwasnotsorrytohavesuchareputation。
　　Messer—Grandetookalsothebooksonthetablebymybed，suchasPetrarch，Ariosto，Horace。"TheMilitary’Philosopher"（amanuscriptwhichMathildehadgivenme），"ThePorterofChartreux，"and"TheAretin，"whichManuzzihadalsodenounced，forMesser—Grandeaskedmeforitbyname。Thisspy，Manuzzi，hadalltheappearanceofanhonestman——averynecessaryqualificationforhisprofession。HissonmadehisfortuneinPolandbymarryingaladynamedOpeska，whom，astheysay，hekilled。，thoughIhaveneverhadanypositiveproofonthematter，andamwillingtostretchChristiancharitytotheextentofbelievinghewasinnocent，althoughhewasquitecapableofsuchacrime。
　　WhileMesser—Grandewasthusrummagingamongmymanuscripts，booksandletters，Iwasdressingmyselfinanabsent—mindedmanner，neitherhurryingmyselfnorthereverse。Imademytoilette，shavedmyself，andcombedmyhair；puttingonmechanicallyalacedshirtandmyholidaysuitwithoutsayingaword，andwithoutMesser—Grande——whodidnotletmeescapehissightforaninstant——complainingthatI
　　wasdressingmyselfasifIweregoingtoawedding。
　　AsIwentoutIwassurprisedtoseeabandoffortymen—at—armsintheante—room。Theyhaddonemethehonourofthinkingallthesemennecessaryformyarrest，though，accordingtotheaxiom’NeHerculesquidemcontraduos’，twowouldhavebeenenough。ItiscuriousthatinLondon，whereeveryoneisbrave，onlyonemanisneededtoarrestanother，whereasinmydearnativeland，wherecowardiceprevails，thirtyarerequired。Thereasonis，perhaps，thatthecowardontheoffensiveismoreafraidthanthecowardonthedefensive，andthusamanusuallycowardlyistransformedforthemomentintoamanofcourage。ItiscertainthatatVeniceoneoftenseesaman。
　　defendinghimselfagainsttwentysbirri，andfinallyescapingafterbeatingthemsoundly。IrememberoncehelpingafriendofmineatParistoescapefromthehandsoffortybum—bailiffs，andweputthewholevileroutofthemtoflight。
　　Messer—Grandemademegetintoagondola，andsatdownnearmewithanescortoffourmen。Whenwecametoourdestinationheofferedmecoffee，whichIrefused；andhethenshutmeupinaroom。Ipassedthesefourhoursinsleep，wakingupeveryquarterofanhourtopasswater——anextraordinaryoccurrence，asIwasnotatallsubjecttostranguary；theheatwasgreat，andIhadnotsuppedtheeveningbefore。Ihavenoticedatothertimesthatsurpriseatadeedofoppressionactsonmeasapowerfulnarcotic，butIfoundoutatthetimeIspeakofthatgreatsurpriseisalsoadiuretic。Imakethisdiscoveryovertothedoctors，itispossiblethatsomelearnedmanmaymakeuseofittosolacetheillsofhumanity。IrememberlaughingveryheartilyatPraguesixyearsago，onlearningthatsomethin—skinnedladies，onreadingmyflightfromTheLeads，whichwaspublishedatthatdate，tookgreatoffenceattheaboveaccount，whichtheythoughtIshouldhavedonewelltoleaveout。Ishouldhaveleftitout，perhaps，inspeakingtoalady，butthepublicisnotaprettywomanwhomIamintentoncajoling，myonlyaimistobeinstructive。Indeed，IseenoimproprietyinthecircumstanceIhavenarrated，whichisascommontomenandwomenaseatinganddrinking；
　　andifthereisanythinginittoshocktoosensitivenerves，itisthatweresembleinthisrespectthecowsandpigs。
　　Itisprobablethatjustasmyoverwhelmedsoulgavesignsofitsfailingstrengthbythelossofthethinkingfaculty，somybodydistilledagreatpartofthosefluidswhichbytheircontinualcirculationsetthethinkingfacultyinmotion。Thusasuddenshockmightcauseinstantaneousdeath，andsendonetoParadisebyacutmuchtooshort。
　　Incourseoftimethecaptainofthemen—at—armscametotellmethathewasunderorderstotakemeundertheLeads。WithoutawordI
　　followedhim。Wewentbygondola，andafterathousandturningsamongthesmallcanalswegotintotheGrandCanal，andlandedattheprisonquay。AfterclimbingseveralflightsofstairswecrossedaclosedbridgewhichformsthecommunicationbetweentheprisonsandtheDoge’spalace，crossingthecanalcalledRiodiPalazzo。Ontheothersideofthisbridgethereisagallerywhichwetraversed。Wethencrossedoneroom，andenteredanother，wheresatanindividualinthedressofanoble，who，afterlookingfixedlyatme，said，"Equello，metteteloindeposito:"
　　ThismanwasthesecretaryoftheInquisitors，theprudentDominicCavalli，whowasapparentlyashamedtospeakVenetianinmypresenceashepronouncedmydoomintheTuscanlanguage。
　　Messer—GrandethenmademeovertothewardenofTheLeads，whostoodbywithanenormousbunchofkeys，andaccompaniedbytwoguards，mademeclimbtwoshortflightsofstairs，atthetopofwhichfollowedapassageandthenanothergallery，attheendofwhichheopenedadoor，andIfoundmyselfinadirtygarret，thirty—sixfeetlongbytwelvebroad，badlylightedbyawindowhighupintheroof。
　　Ithoughtthisgarretwasmyprison，butIwasmistaken；for，takinganenormouskey，thegaoleropenedathickdoorlinedwithiron，threeandahalffeethigh，witharoundholeinthemiddle，eightinchesindiameter，justasIwaslookingintentlyatanironmachine。Thismachinewaslikeahorseshoe，aninchthickandaboutfiveinchesacrossfromoneendtotheother。Iwasthinkingwhatcouldbetheusetowhichthishorribleinstrumentwasput，whenthegaolersaid，withasmile，"Isee，sir，thatyouwishtoknowwhatthatisfor，andasithappensIcansatisfyyourcuriosity。Whentheirexcellenciesgiveordersthatanyoneistobestrangled，heismadetositdownonastool，thebackturnedtothiscollar，andhisheadissoplacedthatthecollargoesroundonehalfoftheneck。Asilkband，whichgoesroundtheotherhalf，passesthroughthishole，andthetwoendsareconnectedwiththeaxleofawheelwhichisturnedbysomeoneuntiltheprisonergivesuptheghost，fortheconfessor，Godbethanked！
　　neverleaveshimtillheisdead。"
　　"Allthissoundsveryingenious，andIshouldthinkthatitisyouwhohavethehonourofturningthewheel。"
　　Hemadenoanswer，andsigningtometoenter，whichIdidbybendingdouble，heshutmeup，andafterwardsaskedmethroughthegratedholewhatIwouldliketoeat。
　　"Ihaven’tthoughtanythingaboutityet，"Ianswered。Andhewentaway，lockingallthedoorscarefullybehindhim。
　　Stunnedwithgrief，Ileantmyelbowsonthetopofthegrating。Itwascrossed，bysixironbarsaninchthick，whichformedsixteensquareholes。Thisopeningwouldhavelightedmycell，ifasquarebeamsupportingtheroofwhichjoinedthewallbelowthewindowhadnotinterceptedwhatlittlelightcameintothathorridgarret。
　　Aftermakingthetourofmysadabode，myheadlowered，asthecellwasnotmorethanfiveandahalffeethigh，Ifoundbygropingalongthatitformedthree—quartersofasquareoftwelvefeet。Thefourthquarterwasakindofrecess，whichwouldhaveheldabed；buttherewasneitherbed，nortable，norchair，noranyfurniturewhatever，exceptabucket——theuseofwhichmaybeguessed，andabenchfixedinthewallafootwideandfourfeetfromtheground。OnitI
　　placedmycloak，myfinesuit，andmyhattrimmedwithSpanishpaintandadornedwithabeautifulwhitefeather。Theheatwasgreat，andmyinstinctmademegomechanicallytothegrating，theonlyplacewhereIcouldleanonmyelbows。Icouldnotseethewindow，butI
　　sawthelightinthegarret，andratsofafearfulsize，whichwalkedunconcernedlyaboutit；thesehorriblecreaturescomingcloseundermygratingwithoutshewingtheslightestfear。AtthesightoftheseIhastenedtocloseuptheroundholeinthemiddleofthedoorwithaninsideshutter，foravisitfromoneoftheratswouldhavefrozenmyblood。Ipassedeighthoursinsilenceandwithoutstirring，myarmsallthetimecrossedonthetopofthegrating。
　　Atlasttheclockrousedmefrommyreverie，andIbegantofeelrestlessthatnoonecametogivemeanythingtoeatortobringmeabedwhereontosleep。Ithoughttheymightatleastletmehaveachairandsomebreadandwater。Ihadnoappetite，certainly；butweremygaolerstoguessasmuch？AndneverinmylifehadIbeensothirsty。Iwasquitesure，however，thatsomebodywouldcomebeforethecloseoftheday；butwhenIheardeighto’clockstrikeIbecamefurious，knockingatthedoor，stampingmyfeet，frettingandfuming，andaccompanyingthisuselesshubbubwithloudcries。Aftermorethananhourofthiswildexercise，seeingnoone，withouttheslightestreasontothinkIcouldbeheard，andshroudedindarkness，Ishutthegratingforfearoftherats，andthrewmyselfatfulllengthuponthefloor。Socrueladesertionseemedtomeunnatural，andIcametotheconclusionthattheInquisitorshadswornmydeath。
　　MyinvestigationastowhatIhaddonetodeservesuchafatewasnotalongone，forinthemostscrupulousexaminationofmyconductI
　　couldfindnocrimes。Iwas，itistrue，aprofligate，agambler，aboldtalker，amanwhothoughtoflittlebesidesenjoyingthispresentlife，butinallthattherewasnooffenceagainstthestate。
　　Nevertheless，findingmyselftreatedasacriminal，rageanddespairmademeexpressmyselfagainstthehorribledespotismwhichoppressedmeinamannerwhichIwillleavemyreaderstoguess，butwhichI
　　willnotrepeathere。Butnotwithstandingmybriefandanxiety，thehungerwhichbegantomakeitselffelt，andthethirstwhichtormentedme，andthehardnessoftheboardsonwhichIlay，didnotpreventexhaustednaturefromreassertingherrights；Ifellasleep。
　　Mystrongconstitutionwasinneedofsleep；andinayoungandhealthysubjectthisimperiousnecessitysilencesallothers，andinthiswayaboveallissleeprightlytermedthebenefactorofman。
　　Theclockstrikingmidnightawokeme。Howsadistheawakingwhenitmakesoneregretone’semptydreams。IcouldscarcelybelievethatI
　　hadspentthreepainlesshours。AsIlayonmyleftside，I
　　stretchedoutmyrighthandtogetmyhandkerchief，whichI
　　rememberedputtingonthatside。Ifeltaboutforit，when——heavens！
　　whatwasmysurprisetofeelanotherhandascoldasice。Thefrightsentanelectricshockthroughme，andmyhairbegantostandonend。
　　NeverhadIbeensoalarmed，norshouldIhavepreviouslythoughtmyselfcapableofexperiencingsuchterror。Ipassedthreeorfourminutesinakindofswoon，notonlymotionlessbutincapableofthinking。AsIgotbackmysensesbydegrees，ItriedtomakemyselfbelievethatthehandIfanciedIhadtouchedwasamerecreatureofmydisorderedimagination；andwiththisideaIstretchedoutmyhandagain，andagainwiththesameresult。Benumbedwithfright，I
　　utteredapiercingcry，and，droppingthehandIheld，Idrewbackmyarm，tremblingallover:
　　Soon，asIgotalittlecalmerandmorecapableofreasoning，I
　　concludedthatacorpsehadbeenplacedbesidemewhilstIslept，forIwascertainitwasnottherewhenIlaydown。
　　"This，"saidI，"isthebodyofsomestrangledwretch，andtheywouldthuswarnmeofthefatewhichisinstoreforme。"
　　Thethoughtmaddenedme；andmyfeargivingplacetorage，forthethirdtimeIstretchedmyarmtowardstheicyhand，seizingittomakecertainofthefactinallitsatrocity，andwishingtogetup，Iroseuponmyleftelbow，andfoundthatIhadgotholdofmyotherhand。Deadenedbytheweightofmybodyandthehardnessoftheboards，ithadlostwarmth，motion，andallsensation。
　　Inspiteofthehumorousfeaturesinthisincident，itdidnotcheermeup，but，onthecontrary，inspiredmewiththedarkestfancies。I
　　sawthatIwasinaplacewhere，ifthefalseappearedtrue，thetruthmightappearfalse，whereunderstandingwasbereavedofhalfitsprerogatives，wheretheimaginationbecomingaffectedwouldeithermakethereasonavictimtoemptyhopesortodarkdespair。I
　　resolvedtobeonmyguard；andforthefirsttimeinmylife，attheageofthirty，Icalledphilosophytomyassistance。Ihadwithinmealltheseedsofphilosophy，butsofarIhadhadnoneedforit。
　　Iamconvincedthatmostmendiewithouteverhavingthought，inthepropersenseoftheword，notsomuchforwantofwitorofgoodsense，butratherbecausetheshocknecessarytothereasoningfacultyinitsinceptionhasneveroccurredtothemtoliftthemoutoftheirdailyhabits。
　　AfterwhatIhadexperienced，Icouldthinkofsleepnomore，andtogetupwouldhavebeenuselessasIcouldnotstandupright，soI
　　tooktheonlysensiblecourseandremainedseated。Isatthustillfouro’clockinthemorning，thesunwouldriseatfive，andIlongedtoseetheday，forapresentimentwhichIheldinfallibletoldmethatitwouldsetmeagainatliberty。Iwasconsumedwithadesireforrevenge，nordidIconcealitfrommyself。Isawmyselfattheheadofthepeople，abouttoexterminatetheGovernmentwhichhadoppressedme；Imassacredallthearistocratswithoutpity；allmustbeshatteredandbroughttothedust。Iwasdelirious；Iknewtheauthorsofmymisfortune，andinmyfancyIdestroyedthem。I
　　restoredthenaturalrightcommontoallmenofbeingobedientonlytothelaw，andofbeingtriedonlybytheirpeersandbylawstowhichtheyhaveagreed—inshort，IbuiltcastlesinSpain。Suchismanwhenhehasbecomethepreyofadevouringpassion。Hedoesnotsuspectthattheprinciplewhichmoveshimisnotreasonbutwrath，itsgreatestenemy。
　　IwaitedforalesstimethanIhadexpected，andthusIbecamealittlemorequiet。Athalf—pastfourthedeadlysilenceoftheplace——thishelloftheliving——wasbrokenbytheshriekofboltsbeingshotbackinthepassagesleadingtomycell。
　　"Haveyouhadtimeyettothinkaboutwhatyouwilltaketoeat？"
　　saidtheharshvoiceofmygaolerfromthewicket。
　　Oneisluckywhentheinsolenceofawretchlikethisonlyshewsitselfintheguiseofjesting。IansweredthatIshouldlikesomericesoup，apieceofboiledbeef，aroast，bread，wine，andwater。
　　Isawthattheloutwasastonishednottohearthelamentationsheexpected。HewentawayandcamebackagaininaquarterofanhourtosaythathewasastonishedIdidnotrequireabedandthenecessarypiecesoffurniture，"for"saidhe，"ifyouflatteryourselfthatyouareonlyhereforanight，youareverymuchmistaken。"
　　"Thenbringmewhateveryouthinknecessary。"
　　"WhereshallIgoforit？Hereisapencilandpaper；writeitdown。"
　　Iskewedhimbywritingwheretogoformyshirts，stockings，andclothesofallsorts，abed，table，chair，thebookswhichMesser—
　　Grandehadconfiscated，paper，pens，andsoforth。Onmyreadingoutthelisttohim（theloutdidnotknowhowtoread）hecried，"Scratchout，"saidhe，"scratchoutbooks，paper，pens，looking—
　　glassandrazors，forallthatisforbiddenfruithere，andthengivemesomemoneytogetyourdinner。"IhadthreesequinssoIgavehimone，andhewentoff。Hespentanhourinthepassagesengaged，asI
　　learntafterwards，inattendingonsevenotherprisonerswhowereimprisonedincellsplacedfarapartfromeachothertopreventallcommunication。
　　Aboutnoonthegaolerreappearedfollowedbyfiveguards，whosedutyitwastoservethestateprisoners。Heopened:thecelldoortobringinmydinnerandthefurnitureIhadaskedfor。Thebedwasplacedintherecess；mydinnerwaslaidoutonasmalltable，andI
　　hadtoeatwithanivoryspoonhehadprocuredoutofthemoneyIhadgivenhim；allforks，knives，andedgedtoolsbeingforbidden。
　　"Tellmewhatyouwouldlikeforto—morrow，"saidhe，"forIcanonlycomehereonceadayatsunrise。TheLordHighSecretaryhastoldmetoinformyouthathewillsendyousomesuitablebooks，butthoseyouwishforareforbidden。"
　　"Thankhimforhiskindnessinputtingmebymyself。"
　　"Iwilldoso，butyoumakeamistakeinjestingthus。"
　　"Idon’tjestatall，forIthinktrulythatitismuchbettertobealonethantominglewiththescoundrelswhoaredoubtlesshere。"
　　"What，sir！scoundrels？Notatall，notatall。Theyareonlyrespectablepeoplehere，who，forreasonsknowntotheirexcellenciesalone，havetobesequesteredfromsociety。Youhavebeenputbyyourselfasanadditionalpunishment，andyouwantmetothankthesecretaryonthataccount？"
　　"Iwasnotawareofthat。"
　　Thefoolwasright，andIsoonfounditout。Idiscoveredthatamanimprisonedbyhimselfcanhavenooccupations。Aloneinagloomycellwhereheonlyseesthefellowwhobringshisfoodonceaday，wherehecannotwalkupright，heisthemostwretchedofmen。Hewouldliketobeinhell，ifhebelievesinit，forthesakeofthecompany。SostrongafeelingisthisthatIgottodesirethecompanyofamurderer，ofonestrickenwiththeplague，orofabear。
　　Thelonelinessbehindtheprisonbarsisterrible，butitmustbelearntbyexperiencetobeunderstood，andsuchanexperienceIwouldnotwisheventomyenemies。Toamanoflettersinmysituation，paperandinkwouldtakeawaynine—tenthsofthetorture，butthewretcheswhopersecutedmedidnotdreamofgrantingmesuchanalleviationofmymisery。
　　Afterthegaolerhadgone，Isetmytablenearthegratingforthesakeofthelight，andsatdowntodinner，butIcouldonlyswallowafewspoonfulsofsoup。Havingfastedfornearlyforty—eighthours，itwasnotsurprisingthatIfeltill。Ipassedthedayquietlyenoughseatedonmysofa，andproposingmyselftoreadthe"suitablebooks"whichtheyhadbeengoodenoughtopromiseme。Ididnotshutmyeyesthewholenight，keptawakebythehideousnoisemadebytherats，andbythedeafeningchimeoftheclockofSt。Mark’s，whichseemedtobestrikinginmyroom。Thisdoublevexationwasnotmychieftrouble，andIdaresaymanyofmyreaderswillguesswhatIamgoingtospeakof—namely，themyriadsoffleaswhichheldhighholidayoverme。Thesesmallinsectsdrankmybloodwithunutterablevoracity，theirincessantbitesgavemespasmodicconvulsionsandpoisonedmyblood。
　　Atday—break，Lawrence（suchwasthegaoler’sname）cametomycellandhadmybedmade，andtheroomsweptandcleansed，andoneoftheguardsgavemewaterwherewithtowashmyself。Iwantedtotakeawalkinthegarret，butLawrencetoldmethatwasforbidden。HegavemetwothickbookswhichIforboretoopen，notbeingquitesureofrepressingthewrathwithwhichtheymightinspireme，andwhichthespywouldhaveinfalliblyreportedtohismasters。Afterleavingmemyfodderandtwocutlemonshewentaway。
　　AssoonasIwasaloneIatemysoupinahurry，soastotakeithot，andthenIdrewasnearasIcouldtothelightwithoneofthebooks，andwasdelightedtofindthatIcouldseetoread。Ilookedatthetitle，andread，"TheMysticalCityofSisterMaryofJesus，ofAgrada。"Ihadneverheardofit。TheotherbookwasbyaJesuitnamedCaravita。Thisfellow，ahypocriteliketherestofthem，hadinventedanewcultofthe"AdorationoftheSacredHeartofourLordJesusChrist。"This，accordingtotheauthor，wasthepartofourDivineRedeemer，whichaboveallothersshouldbeadoredacuriousideaofabesottedignoramus，withwhichIgotdisgustedatthefirstpage，fortomythinkingtheheartisnomoreworthyapartthanthelungs，stomach；oranyotheroftheinwards。The"MysticalCity"
　　ratherinterestedme。
　　IreadinitthewildconceptionsofaSpanishnun，devouttosuperstition，melancholy，shutinbyconventwalls，andswayedbytheignoranceandbigotryofherconfessors。Allthesegrotesque，monstrous，andfantasticvisionsofhersweredignifiedwiththenameofrevelations。Theloverandbosom—friendoftheHolyVirgin，shehadreceivedinstructionsfromGodHimselftowritethelifeofHisdivinemother；thenecessaryinformationwasfurnishedherbytheHolyGhost。
　　ThislifeofMarybegan，notwiththedayofherbirth，butwithherimmaculateconceptioninthewombofAnne，hermother。ThisSisterMaryofAgradawastheheadofaFranciscanconventfoundedbyherselfinherownhouse。Aftertellingindetailallthedeedsofherdivineheroinewhilstinhermother’swomb，sheinformsusthatattheageofthreeshesweptandcleansedthehousewiththeassistanceofninehundredservants，allofwhomwereangelswhomGodhadplacedatherdisposal，underthecommandofMichael，whocameandwentbetweenGodandherselftoconducttheirmutualcorrespondence。
　　Whatstrikesthejudiciousreaderofthebookistheevidentbeliefofthemorethanfanaticalwriterthatnothingisduetoherinvention；everythingistoldingoodfaithandwithfullbelief。
　　Theworkcontainsthedreamsofavisionary，who，withoutvanitybutinebriatedwiththeideaofGod，thinkstorevealonlytheinspirationsoftheDivineSpirit。
　　ThebookwaspublishedwiththepermissionoftheveryholyandveryhorribleInquisition。Icouldnotrecoverfrommyastonishment！Farfromitsstirringupinmybreastaholyandsimplezealofreligion，itinclinedmetotreatallthemysticaldogmasoftheFaithasfabulous。
　　Suchworksmayhavedangerousresults；forexample，amoresusceptiblereaderthanmyself，oronemoreinclinedtobelieveinthemarvellous，runstheriskofbecomingasgreatavisionaryasthepoornunherself。
　　Theneedofdoingsomethingmademespendaweekoverthismasterpieceofmadness，theproductofahyper—exaltedbrain。Itookcaretosaynothingtothegaoleraboutthisfinework，butIbegantofeeltheeffectsofreadingit。AssoonasIwentofftosleepI
　　experiencedthediseasewhichSisterMaryofAgradahadcommunicatedtomymindweakenedbymelancholy，wantofpropernourishmentandexercise，badair，andthehorribleuncertaintyofmyfate。ThewildnessofmydreamsmademelaughwhenIrecalledtheminmywakingmoments。IfIhadpossessedthenecessarymaterialsIwouldhavewrittenmyvisionsdown，andImightpossiblyhaveproducedinmycellastillmadderworkthantheonechosenwithsuchinsightbyCavalli。
　　Thissetmethinkinghowmistakenistheopinionwhichmakeshumanintellectanabsoluteforce；itismerelyrelative，andhewhostudieshimselfcarefullywillfindonlyweakness。Iperceivedthatthoughmenrarelybecomemad，stillsuchaneventiswellwithintheboundsofpossibility，forourreasoningfacultiesarelikepowder，which，thoughitcatchesfireeasily，willnevercatchfireatallwithoutaspark。ThebookoftheSpanishnunhasallthepropertiesnecessarytomakeamancrack—brained；butforthepoisontotakeeffecthemustbeisolated，putundertheLeads，anddeprivedofallotheremployments。
　　InNovember，1767，asIwasgoingfromPampelunatoMadrid，mycoachman，AndreaCapello，stoppedforustodineinatownofOldCastille。SodismalanddrearyaplacedidIfinditthatIaskeditsname。HowIlaughedwhenIwastoldthatitwasAgrada！
　　"Here，then，"Isaidtomyself，"didthatsaintlylunaticproducethatmasterpiecewhichbutforM。CavalliIshouldneverhaveknown。"
　　Anoldpriest，whohadthehighestpossibleopinionofmethemomentIbegantoaskhimaboutthistruthfulhistorianofthemotherofChrist，shewedmetheveryplacewhereshehadwrittenit，andassuredmethatthefather，mother，sister，andinshortallthekindredoftheblessedbiographer，hadbeengreatsaintsintheirgeneration。Hetoldme，andspoketruly，thattheSpaniardshadsolicitedhercanonizationatRome，withthatofthevenerablePalafox。This"MysticalCity，"perhaps，gaveFatherMalagridatheideaofwritingthelifeofSt。Anne，written，also，atthedictationoftheHolyGhost，butthepoordevilofaJesuithadtosuffermartyrdomforit——anadditionalreasonforhiscanonization，ifthehorriblesocietyevercomestolifeagain，andattainstheuniversalpowerwhichisitssecretaim。
　　AttheendofeightorninedaysIfoundmyselfmoneyless。Lawrenceaskedmeforsome，butIhadnotgotit。
　　"WherecanIgetsome？"
　　"Nowhere。"
　　Whatdispleasedthisignorantandgossipingfellowaboutmewasmysilenceandmylaconicmanneroftalking。
　　NextdayhetoldmethattheTribunalhadassignedmefiftysousperdiemofwhichhewouldhavetotakecharge，butthathewouldgivemeanaccountofhisexpenditureeverymonth，andthathewouldspendthesurplusonwhatIliked。
　　"GetmetheLeydenGazettetwiceaweek。"
　　"Ican’tdothat，becauseitisnotallowedbytheauthorities。"
　　Sixty—fivelivresamonthwasmorethanIwanted，sinceIcouldnoteatmorethanIdid:thegreatheatandthewantofpropernourishmenthadweakenedme。Itwasinthedog—days；thestrengthofthesun’sraysupontheleadoftheroofmademycelllikeastove，sothatthestreamsofperspirationwhichrolledoffmypoorbodyasIsatquitenakedonmysofa—chairwettedthefloortorightandleftofme。
　　Ihadbeeninthishell—on—earthforfifteendayswithoutanysecretionfromthebowels。Attheendofthisalmostincredibletimenaturere—assertedherself，andIthoughtmylasthourwascome。Thehaemorrhoidalveinswereswollentosuchanextentthatthepressureonthemgavemealmostunbearableagony。TothisfataltimeIowetheinceptionofthatsadinfirmityofwhichIhaveneverbeenabletocompletelycuremyself。Therecurrenceofthesamepains，thoughnotsoacute，remindmeofthecause，anddonotmakemyremembranceofitanythemoreagreeable。ThisdiseasegotmecomplimentsinRussiawhenIwastheretenyearslater，andIfounditinsuchesteemthatIdidnotdaretocomplain。ThesamekindofthinghappenedtomeatConstantinople，whenIwascomplainingofacoldintheheadinthepresenceofaTurk，whowasthinking，Icouldsee，thatadogofaChristianwasnotworthyofsuchablessing。
　　ThesamedayIsickenedwithahighfeverandkeptmybed。IsaidnothingtoLawrenceaboutit，butthedayafter，onfindingmydinneruntouched，heaskedmehowIwas。
　　"Verywell。"
　　"Thatcan’tbe，sir，asyouhaveeatennothing。Youareill，andyouwillexperiencethegenerosityoftheTribunalwhowillprovideyou，withoutfeeorcharge，withaphysician，surgeon，andallnecessarymedicines。"
　　Hewentout，returningafterthreehourswithoutguards，holdingacandleinhishand，andfollowedbyagrave—lookingpersonage；thiswasthedoctor。Iwasintheheightofthefever，whichhadnotleftmeforthreedays。Hecameuptomeandbegantoaskmequestions，butItoldhimthatwithmyconfessorandmydoctorIwouldonlyspeakapart。ThedoctortoldLawrencetoleavetheroom，butontherefusalofthatArgustodoso，hewentawaysayingthatIwasdangerouslyill，possiblyuntodeath。ForthisIhoped，formylifeasithadbecomewasnolongermychiefestgood。Iwassomewhatgladalsotothinkthatmypitilesspersecutorsmight，onhearingofmycondition，beforcedtoreflectonthecrueltyofthetreatmenttowhichtheyhadsubjectedme。
　　FourhoursafterwardsIheardthenoiseofboltsoncemore，andthedoctorcameinholdingthecandlehimself。Lawrenceremainedoutside。IhadbecomesoweakthatIexperiencedagratefulrestfulness。Kindlynaturedoesnotsufferamanseriouslyilltofeelweary。Iwasdelightedtohearthatmyinfamousturnkeywasoutside，forsincehisexplanationoftheironcollarIhadlookedanhimwithloathing。
　　InaquarterofanhourIhadtoldthedoctorall。
　　"Ifwewanttogetwell，"saidhe，"wemustnotbemelancholy。"
　　"Writemetheprescription，andtakeittotheonlyapothecarywhocanmakeitup。M。Cavalliisthebaddoctorwhoexhibited’TheHeartofJesus，’and’TireMysticalCity。’"
　　"Thosetwopreparationsarequitecapableofhavingbroughtonthefeverandthehaemorrhoids。Iwillnotforsakeyou"
　　Aftermakingmealargejugoflemonade，andtellingthetodrinkfrequently，hewentaway。Isleptsoundly，dreamingfantasticdreams。
　　InhemorningthedoctorcameagainwithLawrenceandasurgeon，whobledme。Thedoctorleftmesomemedicinewhichhetoldmetotakeintheevening，andabottleofsoap。"Ihaveobtainedleave，"saidhe，"foryoutomoveintothegarretwheretheheatisless，andtheairbetterthanhere。"
　　"Ideclinethefavour，asIabominatetherats，whichyouknownothingabout，andwhichwouldcertainlygetintomybed。"
　　"Whatapity！ItoldM。Cavallithathehadalmostkilledyouwithhisbooks，andhehascommissionedmetotakethemback，andtogiveyouBoethius；andhereitis。"
　　"Iammuchobligedtoyou。IlikeitbetterthanSeneca，andIamsureitwilldomegood。"
　　"Iamleavingyouaverynecessaryinstrument，andsomebarleywaterforyoutorefreshyourselfwith。"
　　Hevisitedmefourtimes，andpulledmethrough；myconstitutiondidtherest，andmyappetitereturned。AtthebeginningofSeptemberI
　　foundmyself，onthewhole，verywell，sufferingfromnoactualillsexcepttheheat，thevermin，andweariness，forIcouldnotbealwaysreadingBoethius。
　　OnedayLawrencetoldmethatImightgooutofmycelltowashmyselfwhilstthebedwasbeingmadeandtheroomswept。Itookadvantageofthefavourtowalkupanddownforthetenminutestakenbytheseoperations，andasIwalkedhardtheratswerealarmedanddarednotshewthemselves。OnthesamedayLawrencegavemeanaccountofmymoney，andbroughthimselfinasmydebtortotheamountofthirtylivres，whichhowever，Icouldnotputintomypocket。Ileftthemoneyinhishands，tellinghimtolayitoutonmassesonmybehalf，feelingsurethathewouldmakequiteadifferentuseofit，andhethankedmeinatonethatpersuadedmehewouldbehisownpriest。Igavehimthemoneyeverymonth，andI
　　neversawapriest’sreceipt。Lawrencewaswisetocelebratethesacrificeatthetavern；themoneywasusefultosomeoneatallevents。
　　Ilivedfromdaytoday，persuadingmyselfeverynightthatthenextdayIshouldbeatliberty；butasIwaseachdaydeceived，IdecidedinmypoorbrainthatIshouldbesetfreewithoutfailonthe1stofOctober，onwhichdaythenewInquisitorsbegintheirtermofoffice。
　　Accordingtothistheory，myimprisonmentwouldlastaslongastheauthorityofthepresentInquisitors，andthuswasexplainedthefactthatIhadseennothingofthesecretary，whowouldotherwisehaveundoubtedlycometointerrogate，examine，andconvictmeofmycrimes，andfinallytoannouncemydoom。Allthisappearedtomeunanswerable，becauseitseemednatural，butitwasfallaciousundertheLeads，wherenothingisdoneafterthenaturalorder。IimaginedtheInquisitorsmusthavediscoveredmyinnocenceandthewrongtheyhaddoneme，andthattheyonlykeptmeinprisonforform’ssake，andtoprotecttheirreputefromthestainofcommittinginjustice；
　　henceIconcludedthattheywouldgivememyfreedomwhentheylaiddowntheirtyrannicalauthority。MymindwassocomposedandquietthatIfeltasifIcouldforgivethem，andforgetthewrongthattheyhaddoneme。"Howcantheyleavemeheretothemercyoftheirsuccessors，"Ithought，"towhomtheycannotleaveanyevidencecapableofcondemningme？"Icouldnotbelievethatmysentencehadbeenpronouncedandconfirmed，withoutmybeingtoldofit，orofthereasonsbywhichmyjudgeshadbeenactuated。IwassocertainthatIhadrightonmyside，thatIreasonedaccordingly；butthiswasnottheattitudeIshouldhaveassumedtowardsacourtwhichstandsalooffromallthecourtsintheworldforitsunboundedabsolutism。Toproveanyoneguilty，itisonlynecessaryfortheInquisitorstoproceedagainsthim；sothereisnoneedtospeaktohim，andwhenheiscondemneditwouldbeuselesstoannouncetotheprisonerhissentence，ashisconsentisnotrequired，andtheyprefertoleavethepoorwretchthefeelingofhope；andcertainly，ifheweretoldthewholeprocess，imprisonmentwouldnotbeshortenedbyanhour。
　　Thewisemantellsnooneofhisbusiness，andthebusinessoftheTribunalofVeniceisonlytojudgeandtodoom。Theguiltypartyisnotrequiredtohaveanyshareinthematter；heislikeanail，whichtobedrivenintoawallneedsonlytobestruck。
　　ToacertainextentIwasacquaintedwiththewaysoftheColossuswhichwascrushingmeunderfoot，buttherearethingsonearthwhichonecanonlytrulyunderstandbyexperience。Ifamongstmyreadersthereareanywhothinksuchlawsunjust，Iforgivethem，asIknowtheyhaveastronglikenesstoinjustice；butletmetellthemthattheyarealsonecessary，asatribunalliketheVenetiancouldnotsubsistwithoutthem。Thosewhomaintaintheselawsinfullvigouraresenators，chosenfromamongstthefittestforthatoffice，andwithareputationforhonourandvirtue。
　　ThelastdayofSeptemberIpassedasleeplessnight，andwasonthornstoseethedawnappear，sosurewasIthatthatdaywouldmakemefree。Thereignofthosevillainswhohadmademeacaptivedrewtoaclose；butthedawnappeared，Lawrencecameasusual，andtoldmenothingnew。ForfiveorsixdaysIhoveredbetweenrageanddespair，andthenIimaginedthatforsomereasonswhichtomewereunfathomabletheyhaddecidedtokeepmeprisonerfortheremainderofmydays。Thisawfulideaonlymademelaugh，forIknewthatitwasinmypowertoremainaslavefornolongtime，butonlytillI
　　shouldtakeitintomyownhandstobreakmyprison。IknewthatI
　　shouldescapeordie:’Deliberatamorteferocior’。
　　InthebeginningofNovemberIseriouslyformedtheplanofforciblyescapingfromaplacewhereIwasforciblykept。Ibegantorackmybrainstofindawayofcarryingtheideaintoexecution，andI
　　conceivedahundredschemes，eachonebolderthantheother，butanewplanalwaysmademegiveuptheoneIwasonthepointofaccepting。
　　WhileIwasimmersedinthistoilsomeseaofthought，aneventhappenedwhichbroughthometomethesadstateofmindIwasin。
　　Iwasstandingupinthegarretlookingtowardsthetop，andmyglancefellonthegreatbeam，notshakingbutturningonitsrightside，andthen，byslowandinterruptedmovementintheoppositedirection，turningagainandreplacingitselfinitsoriginalposition。AsIlostmybalanceatthesametime，Iknewitwastheshockofanearthquake。Lawrenceandtheguards，whojustthencameoutofmyroom，saidthattheytoo，hadfelttheearthtremble。InsuchdespairwasIthatthisincidentmademefeelajoywhichIkepttomyself，sayingnothing。Fourorfivesecondsafterthesamemovementoccurred，andIcouldnotrefrainfromsaying，"Another，OmyGod！butstronger。"
　　Theguards，terrifiedwithwhattheythoughttheimpiousravingsofadesperatemadman，fledinhorror。
　　Aftertheyweregone，asIwasponderingthematterover，IfoundthatIlookedupontheoverthrowoftheDoge’spalaceasoneoftheeventswhichmightleadtoliberty；themightypile，asitfell，mightthrowmesafeandsound，andconsequentlyfree，onSt。Mark’sPlace，orattheworstitcouldonlycrushmebeneathitsruins。
　　SituatedasIwas，libertyreckonsforall，andlifefornothing，orratherforverylittle。ThusinthedepthsofmysoulIbegantogrowmad。
　　ThisearthquakeshockwastheresultofthosewhichatthesametimedestroyedLisbon。
　　CHAPTERXXVII
　　VariousAdventures——MyCompanions——IPreparetoEscape——ChangeofCellTomakethereaderunderstandhowImanagedtoescapefromaplaceliketheLeads，Imustexplainthenatureofthelocality。
　　TheLeads，usedfortheconfinementofstateprisoners，areinfacttheloftsoftheducalpalace，andtaketheirnamefromthelargeplatesofleadwithwhichtheroofiscovered。Onecanonlyreachthemthroughthegatesofthepalace，theprisonbuildings，orbythebridgeofwhichIhavespokencalledtheBridgeofSighs。ItisimpossibletoreachthecellswithoutpassingthroughthehallwheretheStateInquisitorsholdtheirmeetings，andtheirsecretaryhasthesolechargeofthekey，whichheonlygivestothegaolerforashorttimeintheearlymorningwhilstheisattendingtotheprisoners。Thisisdoneatday—break，becauseotherwisetheguardsastheycameandwentwouldbeinthewayofthosewhohavetodowiththeCouncilofTen，astheCouncilmeetseverydayinahallcalledTheBussola，whichtheguardshavetocrosseverytimetheygototheLeads。
　　Theprisonsareundertheroofontwosidesofthepalace；threetothewest（minebeingamongthenumber）andfourtotheeast。Onthewesttherooflooksintothecourtofthepalace，andontheeaststraightontothecanalcalledRiodiPalazzo。Onthissidethecellsarewelllighted，andonecanstandupstraight，whichisnotthecaseintheprisonwhereIwas，whichwasdistinguishedbythenameof’Trave’，onaccountoftheenormousbeamwhichdeprivedmeoflight。ThefloorofmycellwasdirectlyovertheceilingoftheInquisitors’hall，wheretheycommonlymetonlyatnightafterthesittingoftheCouncilofTenofwhichthewholethreearemembers。
　　AsIknewmygroundandthehabitsoftheInquisitorsperfectlywell，theonlywaytoescape——theonlywayatleastwhichIdeemedlikelytosucceed——wastomakeaholeinthefloorofmycell；buttodothistoolsmustbeobtained——adifficulttaskinaplacewhereallcommunicationwiththeoutsideworldwasforbidden，whereneitherlettersnorvisitswereallowed。Tobribeaguardagooddealofmoneywouldbenecessary，andIhadnone。Andsupposingthatthegaolerandhistwoguardsallowedthemselvestobestrangled——formyhandsweremyonlyweapons——therewasalwaysathirdguardondutyatthedoorofthepassage，whichhelockedandwouldnotopentillhisfellowwhowishedtopassthroughgavehimthepassword。Inspiteofallthesedifficultiesmyonlythoughtwashowtoescape，andasBoethiusgavemenohintsonthispointIreadhimnomore，andasI
　　wascertainthatthedifficultywasonlytobesolvedbystressofthinkingIcenteredallmythoughtsonthisoneobject。
　　Ithasalwaysbeenmyopinionthatwhenamansetshimselfdeterminedlytodosomething，andthinksofnoughtbuthisdesign，hemustsucceeddespitealldifficultiesinhispath:suchanonemaymakehimselfPopeorGrandVizier，hemayoverturnanancientlineofkings——providedthatheknowshowtoseizeonhisopportunity，andbeamanofwitandpertinacity。Tosucceedonemustcountonbeingfortunateanddespiseallillsuccess，butitisamostdifficultoperation。
　　TowardsthemiddleofNovember，LawrencetoldmethatMesser—Grandehadaprisonerinhishandswhomthenewsecretary，Businello，hadorderedtobeplacedintheworstcell，andwhoconsequentlywasgoingtosharemine。Hetoldmethatonthesecretary’sremindinghimthatIlookeduponitasafavourtobeleftalone，heansweredthatIhadgrownwiserinthefourmonthsofmyimprisonment。Iwasnotsorrytohearthenewsorthattherewasanewsecretary。ThisM。PierreBusinellowasaworthymanwhomIknewatParis。HeafterwardswenttoLondonasambassadoroftheRepublic。
　　IntheafternoonIheardthenoiseofthebolts，andpresentlyLawrenceandtwoguardsenteredleadinginayoungmanwhowasweepingbitterly；andaftertakingoffhishandcuffstheyshuthimupwithme，andwentoutwithoutsayingaword。Iwaslyingonmybed，andhecouldnotseeme。Iwasamusedathisastonishment。Being，fortunatelyforhimself，sevenoreightinchesshorterthanI，hewasabletostandupright，andhebegantoinspectmyarm—chair，whichhedoubtlessthoughtwasmeantforhisownuse。GlancingattheledgeabovethegratinghesawBoethius，tookitup，openedit，andputitdownwithakindofpassion，probablybecausebeinginLatinitwasofnousetohim。Continuinghisinspectionofthecellhewenttotheleft，andgropingaboutwasmuchsurprisedtofindclothes。Heapproachedtherecess，andstretchingouthishandhetouchedme，andimmediatelybeggedmypardoninarespectfulmanner。Iaskedhimtositdownandwewerefriends。
　　"Whoareyou？"saidI。
　　"IamMaggiorin，ofVicenza。Myfather，whowasacoachman，keptmeatschooltillIwaseleven，bywhichtimeIhadlearnttoreadandwrite；Iwasafterwardsapprenticedtoabarber，whereIlearntmybusinessthoroughly。AfterthatIbecamevalettotheCountofX———。
　　Ihadbeenintheserviceofthenoblemanfortwoyearswhenhisdaughtercamefromtheconvent。Itwasmydutytodoherhair，andbydegreesIfellinlovewithher，andinspiredherwithareciprocalpassion。Afterhavingswornathousandtimestoexistonlyforoneanother，wegaveourselvesuptothetaskofshewingeachothermarksofouraffection，theresultofwhichwasthatthestateoftheyoungcountessdiscoveredall。Anoldanddevotedservantwasthefirsttofindoutourconnectionandtheconditionofmymistress，andshetoldherthatshefeltindutyboundtotellherfather，butmysweetheartsucceededinmakingherpromisetobesilent，sayingthatinthecourseoftheweeksheherselfwouldtellhimthroughherconfessor。Sheinformedmeofallthis，andinsteadofgoingtoconfessionwepreparedforflight。Shehadlaidhandsonagoodsumofmoneyandsomediamondswhichhadbelongedtohermother，andweweretosetoutforMilanto—night。Butto—daythecountcalledmeafterdinner，andgivingmealetter，hetoldmetostartatonceandtodeliveritwithmyownhandtothepersontowhomitwasaddressedatVenice。HespoketomesokindlyandquietlythatIhadnottheslightestsuspicionofthefateinstoreforme。Iwenttogetmycloak，saidgood—byetomylittlewife，tellingherthatIshouldsoonreturn。SeeingdeeperbelowthesurfacethanI，andperchancehavingapresentimentofmymisfortune，shewassickatheart。Icamehereinhothaste，andtookcaretodeliverthefatalletter。Theymademewaitforananswer，andinthemeantimeIwenttoaninn；butasIcameoutIwasarrestedandputintheguard—room，whereIwaskepttilltheybroughtmehere。I
　　suppose，sir，Imightconsidertheyoungcountessasmywife？"
　　"Youmakeamistake。"
　　"Butnature————"
　　"Nature，whenamanlistenstoherandnothingelse，takeshimfromonefollytoanother，tillsheputshimundertheLeads。"
　　"IamundertheLeads，then，amI？"
　　"AsIam。"
　　Thepooryoungmanshedsomebittertears。Hewasawell—madelad，open，honest，andamorousbeyondwords。Isecretlypardonedthecountess，andcondemnedthecountforexposinghisdaughtertosuchtemptation。Ashepherdwhoshutsupthewolfinthefoldshouldnotcomplainifhisflockbedevoured。Inallhistearsandlamentationshethoughtnotofhimselfbutalwaysofhissweetheart。Hethoughtthatthegaolerwouldreturnandbringhimsomefoodandabed；butI
　　undeceivedhim，andofferedhimashareofwhatIhad。Hisheart，however，wastoofullforhimtoeat。IntheeveningIgavehimmymattress，onwhichhepassedthenight，forthoughhelookedneatandcleanenoughIdidnotcaretohavehimtosleepwithme，dreadingtheresultsofalover’sdreams。Heneitherunderstoodhowwronglyhehadacted，norhowthecountwasconstrainedtopunishhimpubliclyasacloaktothehonourofhisdaughterandhishouse。
　　Thenextdayhewasgivenamattressandadinnertothevalueoffifteensous，whichtheTribunalhadassignedtohim，eitherasafavouroracharity，forthewordjusticewouldnotbeappropriateinspeakingofthisterriblebody。Itoldthegaolerthatmydinnerwouldsufficeforthetwoofus，andthathecouldemploytheyoungman’sallowanceinsayingmassesinhisusualmanner。Heagreedwillingly，andhavingtoldhimthathewasluckytobeinmycompany，hesaidthatwecouldwalkinthegarretforhalfanhour。Ifoundthiswalkanexcellentthingformyhealthandmyplanofescape，which，however，Icouldnotcarryoutforelevenmonthsafterwards。
　　Attheendofthisresortofrats，Isawanumberofoldpiecesoffurniturethrownonthegroundtotherightandleftoftwogreatchests，andinfrontofalargepileofpaperssewnupintoseparatevolumes。Ihelpedmyselftoadozenofthemforthesakeofthereading，andIfoundthemtobeaccountsoftrials，andverydiverting；forIwasallowedtoreadthesepapers，whichhadoncecontainedsuchsecrets。Ifoundsomecuriousrepliestothejudges’
　　questionsrespectingtheseductionofmaidens，gallantriescarriedalittletoofarbypersonsemployedingirls’schools，factsrelatingtoconfessorswhohadabusedtheirpenitents，schoolmastersconvictedofpederastywiththeirpupils，andguardianswhohadseducedtheirwards。Someofthepapersdatingtwoorthreecenturiesback，inwhichthestyleandthemannersillustratedgavemeconsiderableentertainment。AmongthepiecesoffurnitureonthefloorIsawawarming—pan，akettle，afire—shovel，apairoftongs，someoldcandle—sticks，someearthenwarepots，andevenasyringe。FromthisIconcludedthatsomeprisonerofdistinctionhadbeenallowedtomakeuseofthesearticles。Butwhatinterestedmemostwasastraightironbarasthickasmythumb，andaboutafootandahalflong。However，Ilefteverythingasitwas，asmyplanshadnotbeensufficientlyripenedbytimeformetoappropriateanyobjectinparticular。
　　Onedaytowardstheendofthemonthmycompanionwastakenaway，andLawrencetoldmethathehadbeencondemnedtotheprisonsknownasTheFours，whicharewithinthesamewallsastheordinaryprisons，butbelongtotheStateInquisitors。Thoseconfinedinthemhavetheprivilegeofbeingabletocallthegaolerwhentheylike。Theprisonsaregloomy，butthereisanoillampinthemidstwhichgivesthenecessarylight，andthereisnofearoffireaseverythingismadeofmarble。Iheard，alongtimeafter，thattheunfortunateMaggiorinwasthereforfiveyears，andwasafterwardssenttoCerigoforten。Idonotknowwhetherheevercamefromthere。Hehadkeptmegoodcompany，andthisIdiscoveredassoonashewasgone，forinafewdaysIbecameasmelancholyasbefore。Fortunately，Iwasstillallowedmywalkinthegarret，andIbegantoexamineitscontentswithmoreminuteness。Oneofthechestswasfulloffinepaper，piecesofcardboard，uncutpens，andclewsofpackthread；theotherwasfasteneddown。Apieceofpolishedblackmarble，aninchthick，sixincheslong，andthreebroad，attractedmyattention，andIpossessedmyselfofitwithoutknowingwhatIwasgoingtodowithit，andIsecreteditinmycell，coveringitupwithmyshirts。
　　AweekafterMaggiorinhadgone，LawrencetoldmethatinallprobabilityIshouldsoongetanothercompanion。ThisfellowLawrence，whoatbottomwasameregabblingfool，begantogetuneasyatmyneveraskinghimanyquestions。Thisfondnessforgossipwasnotaltogetherappropriatetohisoffice，butwhereisonetofindbeingsabsolutelyvile？Therearesuchpersons，buthappilytheyarefewandfarbetween，andarenottobesoughtforinthelowerorders。Thusmygaolerfoundhimselfunabletoholdhistongue，andthoughtthatthereasonIaskednoquestionsmustbethatIthoughthimincapableofansweringthem；andfeelinghurtatthis，andwishingtoprovetomethatImadeamistake，hebegantogossipwithoutbeingsolicited。
　　"Ibelieveyouwilloftenhavevisitors，"saidhe，"astheothersixcellshaveeachtwoprisoners，whoarenotlikelytobesenttotheFours。"Imadehimnoreply，buthewenton，inafewseconds，"TheysendtotheFoursallsortsofpeopleaftertheyhavebeensentenced，thoughtheyknownothingofthat。TheprisonerswhomIhavechargeofundertheLeadsarelikeyourself，personsofnote，andareonlyguiltyofdeedsofwhichtheinquisitivemustknownothing。Ifyouknew，sir，whatsortofpeoplesharedyourfate，youwouldbeastonished，It’struethatyouarecalledamanofparts；butyouwillpardonme……Youknowthatallmenofpartsaretreatedwellhere。Youtakeme，Isee。Fiftysousaday，that’ssomething。Theygivethreelivrestoacitizen，fourtoagentleman，andeighttoaforeigncount。Ioughttoknow，Ithink，aseverythinggoesthroughmyhands。"
　　Hethencommencedtosinghisownpraises，whichconsistedofnegativeclauses。
　　"I’mnothief，nortraitor，norgreedy，normalicious，norbrutal，asallmypredecessorswere，andwhenIhavedrunkapintoverandaboveIamallthebetterforit。IfmyfatherhadsentmetoschoolI
　　shouldhavelearnttoreadandwrite，andImightbeMesser—Grandeto—day，butthat’snotmyfault。M。AndreDiedohasahighopinionofme。Mywife，whocooksforyoueveryday，andisonlytwenty—
　　four，goestoseehimwhenshewill，andhewillhavehercomeinwithoutceremony，evenifhebeinbed，andthat’smorethanhe’lldoforasenator。Ipromiseyouyouwillbealwayshavingthenew—
　　comersinyourcell，butneverforanylengthoftime，forassoonasthesecretaryhasgotwhathewantstoknowfromthem，hesendsthemtotheirplace——totheFours，tosomefort，ortotheLevant；
　　andiftheybeforeignerstheyaresentacrossthefrontier，forourGovernmentdoesnotholditselfmasterofthesubjectsofotherprinces，iftheybenotinitsservice。TheclemencyoftheCourtisbeyondcompare；there’snotanotherintheworldthattreatsitsprisonerssowell。Theysayit’scrueltodisallowwritingandvisitors；butthat’sfoolish，forwhatarewritingandcompanybutwasteoftime？Youwilltellmethatyouhavenothingtodo，butwecan’tsayasmuch。"
　　Suchwas，almostwordforword，thefirstharanguewithwhichthefellowhonouredme，andImustsayIfounditamusing。Isawthatifthemanhadbeenlessofafoolhewouldmostcertainlyhavebeenmoreofascoundrel。
　　Thenextdaybroughtmeanewmessmate，whowastreatedasMaggiorinhadbeen，andIthusfounditnecessarytobuyanotherivoryspoon，forasthenewcomersweregivennothingonthefirstdayoftheirimprisonmentIhadtodoallthehonoursofthecell。
　　Mynewmatemademealowbow，formybeard，nowfourincheslong，wasstillmoreimposingthanmyfigure。Lawrenceoftenlentmescissorstocutmynails，buthewasforbidden，underpainofveryheavypunishment，toletmetouchmybeard。Iknewnotthereasonofthisorder，butIendedbybecomingusedtomybeardasonegetsusedtoeverything。
　　Thenew—comerwasamanofaboutfifty，approachingmysize，alittlebent，thin，withalargemouth，andverybadteeth。Hehadsmallgreyeyeshiddenunderthickeyebrowsofaredcolour，whichmadehimlooklikeanowl；andthispicturewassetoffbyasmallblackwig，whichexhaledadisagreeableodourofoil，andbyadressofcoarsegreycloth。Heacceptedmyofferofdinner，butwasreserved，andsaidnotawordthewholeday，andIwasalsosilent，thinkinghewouldsoonrecovertheuseofhistongue，ashedidthenextday。
　　Earlyinthemorninghewasgivenabedandabagfulloflinen。Thegaoleraskedhim，ashehadaskedme，whathewouldhavefordinner，andformoneytopayforit。
　　"Ihavenomoney。"
　　"What！amoneyedmanlikeyouhavenomoney？"
　　"Ihaven’tasou。"
　　"Verygood；inthatcaseIwillgetyousomearmybiscuitandwater，accordingtoinstructions。"
　　Hewentout，andreturneddirectlyafterwardswithapoundandahalfofbiscuit，andapitcher，whichhesetbeforetheprisoner，andthenwentaway。
　　LeftalonewiththisphantomIheardasigh，andmypitymademebreakthesilence。
　　"Don’tsigh，sir，youshallsharemydinner。ButIthinkyouhavemadeagreatmistakeincomingherewithoutmoney。"
　　"Ihavesome，butitdoesnotdotoletthoseharpiesknowofit:"
　　"Andsoyoucondemnyourselftobreadandwater。Trulyawiseproceeding！Doyouknowthereasonofyourimprisonment？"
　　"Yes，sir，andIwillendeavourinafewwordstoinformyouofit。"
　　"MynameisSqualdoNobili。Myfatherwasacountrymanwhohadmetaughtreadingandwriting，andathisdeathleftmehiscottageandthesmallpatchofgroundbelongingtoit。IlivedinFriuli，aboutaday’sjourneyfromtheMarshesofUdine。AsatorrentcalledCornooftendamagedmylittleproperty，IdeterminedtosellitandtosetupinVenice，whichIdidtenyearsago。Ibroughtwithmeeightthousandlivresinfairsequins，andknowingthatinthishappycommonwealthallmenenjoyedtheblessingsofliberty，IbelievedthatbyutilizingmycapitalImightmakealittleincome，andI
　　begantolendmoney，onsecurity。Relyingonmythrift，myjudgment，andmy，knowledgeoftheworld，Ichosethisbusinessinpreferencetoallothers。IrentedasmallhouseintheneighbourhoodoftheRoyalCanal，andhavingfurnisheditIlivedthereincomfortbymyself；andinthecourseoftwoyearsIfoundIhadmadeaprofitoftenthousandlivres，thoughIhadexpendedtwothousandonhouseholdexpensesasIwishedtoliveincomfort。InthisfashionIsawmyselfinafairwayofmakingarespectablefortuneintime；butone，day，havinglentaJewtwosequinsuponsomebooks，Ifoundoneamongstthemcalled"LaSagesse，"byCharron。ItwasthenIfoundouthowgoodathingitistobeabletoread，forthisbook，whichyou，sir，maynothaveread，containsallthatamanneedknow——
　　purginghimofalltheprejudicesofhischildhood。WithCharrongood—byetohellandalltheemptyterrorsofafuturelife；one’seyesareopened，oneknowsthewaytobliss，onebecomeswiseindeed。
　　Doyou，sir，getthisbook，andpaynoheedtothosefoolishpersonswhowouldtellyouthistreasureisnottobeapproached。"
　　Thiscuriousdiscoursemademeknowmyman。AstoCharron，IhadreadthebookthoughIdidnotknowithadbeentranslatedintoItalian。TheauthorwhowasagreatadmirerofMontaignethoughttosurpasshismodel，buttoiledinvain。Heisnotmuchreaddespitetheprohibitiontoreadhisworks，whichshouldhavegiventhemsomepopularity。HehadtheimpudencetogivehisbookthetitleofoneofSolomon’streatises——acircumstancewhichdoesnotsaymuchforhismodesty。Mycompanionwentonasfollows:
　　"SetfreebyCharronfromanyscruplesIstillmighthave，andfromthosefalseideassohardtoridone’sselfof，Ipushedmybusinessinsuchsort，thatattheendofsixyearsIcouldlaymyhandontenthousandsequins。Thereisnoneedforyoutobeastonishedatthat，asinthiswealthycitygambling，debauchery，andidlenesssetalltheworldawryandincontinualneedofmoney；sodothewisegatherwhatthefooldrops。
　　"ThreeyearsagoacertainCountSerimancameandaskedmetotakefromhimfivehundredsequins，toputtheminmybusiness，andtogivehimhalfprofits。AllheaskedforwasanobligationinwhichI
　　promisedtoreturnhimthewholesumondemand。AttheendofayearIsenthimseventy—fivesequins，whichmadefifteenpercent。onhismoney；hegavemeareceiptforit，butwasillpleased。Hewaswrong，forIwasinnoneedofmoney，andhadnotusedhisforbusinesspurposes。Attheendofthesecondyear，outofpuregenerosity，Isenthimthesameamount；butwecametoaquarrelandhedemandedthereturnofthefivehundredsequins。’Certainly，’I
　　said，’butImustdeductthehundredandfiftyyouhavealreadyreceived。’Enragedatthisheservedmewithawritforthepaymentofthewholesum。Acleverlawyerundertookmydefenceandwasabletogainmetwoyears。ThreemonthsagoIwasspokentoastoanagreement，andIrefusedtohearofit，butfearingviolenceIwenttotheAbbeJustiniani，theSpanishambassador’ssecretary，andforasmallsumheletmeahouseintheprecinctsoftheEmbassy，whereoneissafefromsurprises。IwasquitewillingtoletCountSerimanhavehismoney，butIclaimedareductionofahundredsequinsonaccountofthecostsofthelawsuit。Aweekagothelawyersonbothsidescametome。Ishewedthemapurseoftwohundredandfiftysequins，andtoldthemtheymighttakeit，butnotapennymore。
　　Theywentawaywithoutsayingaword，bothwearinganill—pleasedair，ofwhichItooknonotice。ThreedaysagotheAbbeJustinianitoldmethattheambassadorhadthoughtfittogivepermissiontotheStateInquisitorstosendtheirmenatoncetomyhousetomakesearchtherein。Ithoughtthethingimpossibleundertheshelterofaforeignambassador，andinsteadoftakingtheusualprecautions，I
　　waitedtheapproachofthemen—at—arms，onlyputtingmymoneyinaplaceofsafety。AtdaybreakMesser—Grandecametothehouse，andaskedmeforthreehundredandfiftysequins，andonmytellinghimthatIhadn’tafarthingheseizedme，andhereIam。"
　　Ishuddered，lessathavingsuchaninfamouscompanionthanathisevidentlyconsideringmeashisequal，forifhehadthoughtofmeinanyotherlighthewouldcertainlynothavetoldmethislongtale，doubtlessinthebeliefthatIshouldtakehispart。InallthefollyaboutCharronwithwhichhetormentedmeinthethreedaysweweretogether，IfoundbybitterexperiencethetruthoftheItalianproverb:’Guardatidacoluichenonhalettocheunlibrosolo’。ByreadingtheworkofthemisguidedpriesthehadbecomeanAtheist，andofthishemadehisboastallthedaylong。IntheafternoonLawrencecametotellhimtocomeandspeakwiththesecretary。Hedressedhimselfhastily，andinsteadofhisownshoeshetookminewithoutmyseeinghim。Hecamebackinhalfanhourintears，andtookoutofhisshoestwopursescontainingthreehundredandfiftysequins，and，thegaolergoingbefore，hewenttotakethemtothesecretary。Afewmomentsafterwardshereturned，andtakinghiscloakwentaway。Lawrencetoldmethathehadbeensetatliberty。
　　Ithought，andwithgoodreason，that，tomakehimacknowledgehisdebtandpayit，thesecretaryhadthreatenedhimwiththetorture；
　　andifitwereonlyusedinsimilarcases，I，whodetesttheprincipleoftorture，wouldbethefirsttoproclaimitsutility。
　　OnNewYear’sDay，1733，Ireceivedmypresents。Lawrencebroughtmeadressing—gownlinedwithfoxskin，acoverletofwaddedsilk，andabear—skinbagformetoputmylegsin，whichIwelcomedgladly，forthecoldnesswasunbearableastheheatinAugust。LawrencetoldmethatImightspendtotheamountofsixsequinsamonth，thatImighthavewhatbooksIliked，andtakeinthenewspaper，andthatthispresentcamefromM。deBragadin。Iaskedhimforapencil，andI
　　wroteuponascrapofpaper:"IamgratefulforthekindnessoftheTribunalandthegoodnessofM。deBragadin。"
　　Themanwhowouldknowwhatweremyfeelingsatallthismusthavebeeninasimilarsituationtomyown。InthefirstgushoffeelingIforgavemyoppressors，andwasonthepointofgivinguptheideaofescape；soeasilyshallyoumoveamanthatyouhavebroughtlowandoverwhelmedwithmisfortune。LawrencetoldmethatM。deBragadinhadcomebeforethethreeInquisitors，andthatonhisknees，andwithtearsinhiseyes，hehadentreatedthemtolethimgivemethismarkofhisaffectionifIwerestillinthelandoftheliving；theInquisitorsweremoved，andwerenotabletorefusehisrequest。
　　IwrotedownwithoutdelaythenamesofthebooksIwanted。
　　Onefinemorning，asIwaswalkinginthegarret，myeyesfellontheironbarIhavementioned，andIsawthatitmightveryeasilybemadeintoadefensiveoroffensiveweapon。Itookpossessionofit，andhavinghiddenitundermydressing—gownIconveyeditintomycell。AssoonasIwasalone，Itookthepieceofblackmarble，andIfoundthatIhadtomyhandanexcellentwhetstone；forbyrubbingthebarwiththestoneIobtainedaverygoodedge。
　　MyinterestrousedinthisworkinwhichIwasbutanapprentice，andinthefashioninwhichIseemedlikelytobecomepossessedofaninstrumenttotallyprohibitedundertheLeads，impelled，perhaps，alsobymyvanitytomakeaweaponwithoutanyofthenecessarytools，andincitedbymyverydifficulties（forIworkedawaytilldarkwithoutanythingtoholdmywhetstoneexceptmylefthand，andwithoutadropofoiltosoftentheiron），Imadeupmymindtopersevereinmydifficulttask。Mysalivaservedmeinthesteadofoil，andItoiledeightdaystoproduceeightedgesterminatinginasharppoint，theedgesbeinganinchandahalfinlength。Mybarthussharpenedformedaneight—sideddagger，andwouldhavedonejusticetoafirst—ratecutler。NoonecanimaginethetoilandtroubleIhadtobear，northepatiencerequiredtofinishthisdifficulttaskwithoutanyothertoolsthanaloosepieceofstone。
　　Iputmyself，infact，toakindoftortureunknowntothetyrantsofallages。MyrightarmhadbecomesostiffthatIcouldhardlymoveit；thepalmofmyhandwascoveredwithalargescar，theresultofthenumerousblisterscausedbythehardnessandthelengthofthework。NoonewouldguessthesufferingsIunderwenttobringmyworktocompletion。
　　ProudofwhatIhaddone，withoutthinkingwhatuseIcouldmakeofmyweapon，myfirstcarewastohideitinsuchamanneraswoulddefyaminutesearch。Afterthinkingoverathousandplans，toallofwhichtherewassomeobjection，Icastmyeyesonmyarm—chair，andthereIcontrivedtohideitsoastobesecurefromallsuspicion。ThusdidProvidenceaidmetocontriveawonderfulandalmostinconceivableplanofescape。Iconfesstoafeelingofvanity，notbecauseIeventuallysucceeded——forIowedsomethingtogoodluck——butbecauseIwasbraveenoughtoundertakesuchaschemeinspiteofthedifficultieswhichmighthaveruinedmyplansandpreventedmyeverattainingliberty。
　　AfterthinkingforthreeorfourdaysastowhatIshoulddowiththebarIhadmadeintoanedgedtool，asthickasawalking—stickandtwentyincheslong，Ideterminedthatthebestplanwouldbetomakeaholeinthefloorundermybed。
　　IwassurethattheroombelowmycellwasnootherthantheoneinwhichIhadseenM。Cavalli。Iknewthatthisroomwasopenedeverymorning，andIfeltpersuadedthat，afterIhadmademyhole，Icouldeasilyletmyselfdownwithmysheets，whichIwouldmakeintoaropeandfastentomybed。Oncethere，Iwouldhideunderthetableofthecourt，andinthemorning，whenthedoorwasopened，Icouldescapeandgettoaplaceofsafetybeforeanyonecouldfollowme。I
　　thoughtitpossiblethatasentrymightbeplacedinthehall，butmyshortpikeoughttosoonridmeofhim。Thefloormightbeofdoubleorevenoftriplethickness，andthisthoughtpuzzledme；forinthatcasehowwasItopreventtheguardsweepingouttheroomthroughoutthetwomonthsmyworkmightlast。IfIforbadethemtodoso，I
　　mightrousesuspicion；allthemoreas，tofreemyselfofthefleas，Ihadrequestedthemtosweepoutthecelleveryday，andinsweepingtheywouldsoondiscoverwhatIwasabout。Imustfindsomewayoutofthisdifficulty。
　　Ibeganbyforbiddingthemtosweep，withoutgivinganyreason。A
　　weekafter，LawrenceaskedmewhyIdidso。Itoldhimbecauseofthedustwhichmightmakemecoughviolentlyandgivemesomefatalinjury。
　　"Iwillmakethemwaterthefloor，"saidhe。
　　"Thatwouldbeworse，Lawrence，forthedampmightcauseaplethora。"
　　InthismannerIobtainedaweek’srespite，butattheendofthat。
　　timetheloutgaveordersthatmycellshouldbeswept。Hehadthebedcarriedoutintothegarret，andonpretenceofhavingthesweepingdonewithgreatercare，helightedacandle。Thisletmeknowthattherascalwassuspiciousofsomething；butIwascraftyenoughtotakenonoticeofhim，andsofarfromgivingupmyplea，I
　　onlythoughthowIcouldputitongoodtrain。NextmorningI
　　prickedmyfingerandcoveredmyhandkerchiefwiththeblood，andthenawaitedLawrenceinbed。AssoonashecameItoldhimthatI
　　hadcoughedsoviolentlyastobreakablood—vessel，whichhadmademebringupallthebloodhesaw。"Getmeadoctor。"Thedoctorcame，orderedmetobebled，andwrotemeaprescription。ItoldhimitwasLawrence’sfault，ashehadpersistedinhavingtheroomswept。Thedoctorblamedhimfordoingso，andjustasifIhadaskedhimhetoldusofayoungmanwhohaddiedfromthesamecause，andsaidthattherewasnothingmoredangerousthanbreathingindust。Lawrencecalledallthegodstowitnessthathehadonlyhadtheroomsweptformysake，andpromiseditshouldnothappenagain。
　　Ilaughedtomyself，forthedoctorcouldnothaveplayedhispartbetterifIhadgivenhimtheword。Theguardswhowerethereweredelighted，andsaidtheywouldtakecareonlytosweepthecellsofthoseprisonerswhohadangeredthem。
　　Whenthedoctorwasgone，Lawrencebeggedmypardon，andassuredmethatalltheotherprisonerswereingoodhealthalthoughtheircellsweresweptoutregularly。
　　"Butwhatthedoctorsaysisworthconsidering，"saidhe，"andI
　　shalltellthemallaboutit，forIlookuponthemasmychildren。"
　　Theblood—lettingdidmegood，asitmademesleep，andrelievedmeofthespasmswithwhichIwassometimestroubled。Ihadregainedmyappetiteandwasgettingbackmystrengtheveryday，butthetimetosetaboutmyworkwasnotyetcome；itwasstilltoocold，andI
　　couldnotholdthebarforanylengthoftimewithoutmyhandbecomingstiff。Myschemerequiredmuchthought。IhadtoexerciseboldnessandforesighttoridmyselfoftroubleswhichchancemightbringtopassorwhichIcouldforesee。ThesituationofamanwhohadtoactasIhad，isanunhappyone，butinriskingallforallhalfitsbitternessvanishes。