Icouldscarcelyhelplaughing，notathisChristianpiety，sincefaithandconsciencearebeyondcontrol，butatthecuriousturnhegavehisremonstrance。IconcludedhetookmeforaJew；andtodisabusehimofthisnotionImadehastetogivehimthe"HoursoftheHolyVirgin，"whosepicturehekissed，andthengavemethebookback，tellingmeinamodestvoicethathisfather——a，galleyofficer——hadneglectedtohavehimtaughttoread。"Iam，"saidhe，"adevoteeoftheHolyRosary，"andhetoldmeahostofmiracles，towhichIlistenedwiththepatienceofanangel。WhenhehadcometoanendIaskedhimifhehadhadhisdinner，andherepliedthathewasdyingofhunger。IgavehimeverythingIhad，whichhedevouredratherthanate；drinkingallmywine，andthenbecomingmaudlinhebegantoweep，andfinallytotalkwithoutrhymeorreason。Iaskedhimhowhegotintotrouble，andhetoldmethefollowingstory:
"MyaimandmyonlyaimhasalwaysbeenthegloryofGod，andoftheholyRepublicofVenice，andthatitslawsmaybeexactlyobeyed。
Alwayslendinganattentiveeartotheplotsofthewicked，whoseendistodeceive，todeprivetheirprinceofhisjustdues，andtoconspiresecretly，Ihaveoverandagainunveiledtheirsecretplans，andhavenotfailedtoreporttoMesser—GrandeallIknow。ItistruethatIamalwayspaid，butthemoneyhasnevergivenmesomuchpleasureasthethoughtthatIhavebeenabletoservetheblessedSt。Mark。Ihavealwaysdespisedthosewhothinkthereissomethingdishonourableinthebusinessofaspy。Thewordsoundsillonlytotheill—affected；foraspyisaloverofthestate，thescourgeoftheguilty，andfaithfulsubjectofhisprince。WhenIhavebeenputtothetest，thefeelingoffriendship，whichmightcountforsomethingwithothermen，hasneverhadtheslightestinfluenceoverme，andstilllessthesentimentwhichiscalledgratitude。Ihaveoften，inordertowormoutasecret，sworntobeassilentasthegrave，andhaveneverfailedtorevealit。Indeed，Iamabletodosowithfullconfidence，asmydirectorwhoisagoodJesuithastoldmethatImaylawfullyrevealsuchsecrets，notonlybecausemyintentionwastodoso，butbecause，whenthesafetyofthestateisatstake，thereisnosuchthingasabindingoath。ImustconfessthatinmyzealIhavebetrayedmyownfather，andthatinmethepromptingsofourweaknaturehavebeenquitemortified。ThreeweeksagoIobservedthattherewasakindofcabalbetweenfourorfivenotablesofthetownofIsola，whereIlive。IknewthemtobedisaffectedtotheGovernmentonaccountofcertaincontrabandarticleswhichhadbeenconfiscated。Thefirstchaplain——asubjectofAustriabybirth——wasintheplot。Theygatheredtogetherofeveningsinaninn，inaroomwheretherewasabed；theretheydrankandtalked，andafterwardswenttheirways。AsIwasdeterminedtodiscovertheconspiracy，IwasbraveenoughtohideunderthebedonadayonwhichIwassureIwouldnotbeseen。Towardstheeveningmygentlemencame，andbegantotalk；amongstotherthings，theysaidthatthetownofIsolawasnotwithinthejurisdictionofSt。Mark，butratherintheprincipalityofTrieste，asitcouldnotpossiblybeconsideredtoformpartoftheVenetianterritory。Thechaplainsaidtothechiefoftheplot，amannamedPietroPaolo，thatifheandtheotherswouldsignadocumenttothateffect，hehimselfwouldgototheimperialambassador，andthattheEmpresswouldnotonlytakepossessionoftheisland，butwouldrewardthemforwhattheyhaddone。Theyallprofessedthemselvesreadytogoon，andthechaplainpromisedtobringthedocumentthenextday，andafterwardstotakeittotheambassadors。
"Ideterminedtofrustratethisdetestableproject，althoughoneoftheconspiratorswasmygossip——aspiritualrelationshipwhichgavehimagreaterclaimonmethanifhehadbeenmyownbrother。
"Aftertheyweregone，Icameoutofmyhiding—placeanddidnotthinkitnecessarytoexposemyselftodangerbyhidingagainasI
hadfoundoutsufficientformypurpose。Isetoutthesamenightinaboat，andreachedherethenextdaybeforenoon。Ihadthenamesofthesixrebelswrittendown，andItookthepapertothesecretaryoftheTribunal，tellinghimallIhadheard。Heorderedmetoappear，thedayfollowing，atthepalace，andanagentoftheGovernmentshouldgobackwithmetoIsolathatImightpointthechaplainouttohim，ashehadprobablynotyetgonetotheAustrianambassador’s。’Thatdone，’saidthelordsecretary，’youwillnolongermeddleinthematter。’Iexecutedhisorders，andafterhavingshewnthechaplaintotheagent，Iwasatleisureformyownaffairs。
"Afterdinnermygossipcalledmeintoshavehim（forIamabarberbyprofession），andafterIhaddonesohegavemeacapitalglassofrefoscowithsomeslicesofsausages，andweatetogetherinallgoodfellowship。Myloveforhimhadstillpossessionofmysoul，soI
tookhishand，and，sheddingsomeheartfelttears，Iadvisedhimtohavenomoretodowiththecanon，andaboveall，nottosignthedocumentheknewof。Heprotestedthathewasnoparticularfriendofthechaplain’s，andsworehedidnotknowwhatdocumentIwastalkingabout。Iburstintoalaugh，tellinghimitwasonlymyjoke，andwentforthverysorryathavingyieldedtoasentimentofaffectionwhichhadmademecommitsogrievousafault。ThenextdayIsawneitherthemannorthechaplain。Aweekafter，havingpaidavisittothepalace，Iwaspromptlyimprisoned，andhereIamwithyou，mydearsir。IthankSt。FrancisforhavinggivenmethecompanyofagoodChristian，whoishereforreasonsofwhichI
desiretoknownothing，forIamnotcurious。MynameisSoradaci，andmywifeisaLegrenzi，daughterofasecretarytotheCouncilofTen，who，inspiteofallprejudicetothecontrary，determinedtomarryme。Shewillbeindespairatnotknowingwhathasbecomeofme，butIhopetobehereonlyforafewdays，sincetheonlyreasonofmyimprisonmentisthatthesecretarywishestobeabletoexaminememoreconveniently。"
Ishudderedtothinkofthemonsterwhowaswithme，butfeelingthatthesituationwasariskyone，AndthatIshouldhavetomakeuseofhim，Icompassionatedhim，praisedhispatriotism，andpredictedthathewouldbesetatlibertyinafewdays。Afewmomentsafterhefellasleep，andItooktheopportunityoftellingthewholestorytoFatherBalbi，shewinghimthatweshouldbeobligedtoputoffourworktoamoreconvenientseason。NextdayItoldLawrencetobuymeawoodencrucifix，astatueofOurLady，aportraitofSt。Francis，andtwobottlesofholywater。Soradaciaskedforhistensous，andLawrence，withanairofcontempt，gavehimtwenty。IaskedLawrencetobuymefourtimestheusualamountofgarlic，wine，andsalt——adietinwhichmyhatefulcompaniondelighted。AfterthegaolerwasgoneIdeftlydrewouttheletterBalbihadwrittenme，andinwhichhedrewavividpictureofhisalarm。Hethoughtallwaslost，andoverandoveragainthankedHeaventhatLawrencehadputSoradaciinmycell，"for，"saidhe，"ifhehadcomeintomine，hewouldnothavefoundmethere，andweshouldpossiblyhavesharedacellinTheWellsasarewardforourendeavours。"
Soradaci’stalehadsatisfiedmethathewasonlyimprisonedtobeexamined，asitseemedplainthatthesecretaryhadarrestedhimonsuspicionofbearingfalsewitness。Ithereuponresolvedtoentrusthimwithtwoletterswhichwoulddomeneithergoodnorharmiftheyweredeliveredattheiraddresses，butwhichwouldbebeneficialtomeifthetraitorgavethemtothesecretaryasaproofofhisloyalty，asIhadnottheslightestdoubthewoulddo。
Ispenttwohoursinwritingthesetwolettersinpencil。NextdayLawrencebroughtmethecrucifix，thetwopictures，andtheholywater，andhavingworkedtherascalwelluptothepoint，Isaid，"Ireckonuponyourfriendshipandyourcourage。HerearetwolettersIwantyoutodeliverwhenyourecoveryourliberty。Myhappinessdependsonyourloyality，butyoumusthidetheletters，astheywerefounduponyouweshouldbothofusbeundone。Youmustswearbythecrucifixandtheseholypicturesnottobetrayme。"
"Iamready，dearmaster，tosweartoanythingyoulike，andIoweyoutoomuchtobetrayyou。"
Thisspeechwasfollowedbymuchweepingandlamentation。Hecalledhimselfunhappywretchatbeingsuspectedoftreasontowardsamanforwhomhewouldhavegivenhislife。Iknewmyman，butIplayedoutthecomedy。Havinggivenhimashirtandacap，Istoodupbare—
headed，andthenhavingsprinkledthecellwithholywater，andplentifullybedewedhimwiththesameliquid，Imadehimswearadreadfuloath，stuffedwithsenselessimprecations，whichforthatveryreasonwerethebetterfittedtostriketerrortohissoul。
Afterhishavingsworntheoathtodelivermyletterstotheiraddresses，Igavehimthem，andhehimselfproposedtosewthemupatthebackofhiswaistcoat，betweenthestuffandthelining，towhichproceedingsIassented。
Iwasmorallysurethathewoulddelivermyletterstothesecretaryinthefirstopportunity，soItooktheutmostcarethatmystyleofwritingshouldnotdiscoverthetrick。TheycouldonlygainmetheesteemoftheCourt，andpossiblyitsmercy。OneoftheletterswasaddressedtoM。deBragadinandtheothertotheAbbeGrimani，andI
toldthemnottobeanxiousaboutmeasIwasingoodhopesofsoonbeingsetatliberty，thattheywouldfindwhenIcameoutthatmyimprisonmenthaddonememoregoodthanharm，astherewasnooneinVenicewhostoodinneedofreformmorethanI。
IbeggedM。deBragadintobekindenoughtosendmeapairoffurbootsforthewinter，asmycellwashighenoughformetostanduprightandtowalkupanddown。
ItookcarethatSoradacishouldnotsuspecttheinnocentnatureoftheseletters，ashemightthenhavebeenseizedwiththetemptationtodoanhonestthingforme，andhavedeliveredthem，whichwasnotwhatIwasaimingat。Youwillsee，dearreader，inthefollowingchapter，thepowerofoathsoverthevilesoulofmyodiouscompanion，andalsoifIhavenotverifiedthesaying’Invinoveritas’，forinthestoryhetoldmethewretchhadshewnhimselfinhistruecolours。
CHAPTERXXIX
TreasonofSoradaci——HowIGettheBestofHim——FatherBalbiEndsHisWork——IEscapefromMyCell——UnseasonableObservationsofCountAsquinTheCriticalMomentSoradacihadhadmylettersfortwoorthreedayswhenLawrencecameoneafternoontotakehimtothesecretary。Ashewasseveralhoursaway，Ihopedtoseehisfacenomore；buttomygreatastonishmenthewasbroughtbackintheevening。AssoonasLawrencehadgone，hetoldmethatthesecretarysuspectedhimofhavingwarnedthechaplain，sincethatindividualhadneverbeenneartheambassador’sandnodocumentofanykindwasfounduponhim。Headdedthatafteralongexaminationhehadbeenconfinedinaverysmallcell，andwasthenboundandbroughtagainbeforethesecretary，whowantedhimtoconfessthathetoldsomeoneatIsolathatthepriestwouldneverreturn，butthathehadnotdonesoashehadsaidnosuchthing。Atlastthesecretarygottired，calledtheguards，andhadhimbroughtbacktomycell。
Iwasdistressedtohearhisaccount，asIsawthatthewretchwouldprobablyremainalongtimeinmycompany。HavingtoinformFatherBalbiofthisfatalmisadventure，Iwrotetohimduringthenight，andbeingobligedtodosomorethanonce，Igotaccustomedtowritecorrectlyenoughinthedark。
Onthenextday，toassuremyselfthatmysuspicionswerewellfounded，ItoldthespytogivemetheletterIhadwrittentoM。deBragadinasIwantedtoaddsomethingtoit。"Youcansewitupafterwards，"saidI。
"Itwouldbedangerous，"hereplied，"asthegaolermightcomeininthemeantime，andthenweshouldbebothruined。"
"Nomatter。Givememyletters:"
Thereuponthehoundthrewhimselfatmyfeet，andsworethatonhisappearingforasecondtimebeforethedreadedsecretary，hehadbeenseizedwithaseveretrembling；andthathehadfeltinhisback，especiallyintheplacewheretheletterswere，sointolerableanoppression，thatthesecretaryhadaskedhimthecause，andthathehadnotbeenabletoconcealthetruth。Thenthesecretaryranghisbell，andLawrencecamein，unboundhim，andtookoffhiswaist—coatandunsewedthelining。Thesecretarythenreadthelettersandputtheminadrawerofhisbureau，tellinghimthatifhehadtakenthelettershewouldhavebeendiscoveredandhavelosthislife。
Ipretendedtobeoverwhelmed，andcoveringmyfacewithmyhandsI
kneltdownatthebedsidebeforethepictureoftheVirgin，andasked，hertoavengemeonthewretchwhohadbrokenthemostsacredoaths。Iafterwardslaydownonthebed，myfacetothewall，andremainedtherethewholedaywithoutmoving，withoutspeakingaword，andpretendingnottohearthetears，cries，andprotestationsofrepentanceutteredbythevillain。IplayedmypartinthecomedyI
hadsketchedouttoperfection。InthenightIwrotetoFatherBalbitocomeattwoo’clockintheafternoon，notaminutesoonerorlater，toworkforfourhours，andnotaminutemore。"Onthisprecision，"Iwrote，"ourlibertydependsandifyouobserveitallwillbewell。"
Itwasthe25thofOctober，andthetimeformetocarryoutmydesignortogiveitupforeverdrewnear。TheStateInquisitorsandtheirsecretarywenteveryyeartoavillageonthemainland，andpassedtherethefirstthreedaysofNovember。Lawrence，takingadvantageofhismasters’absence，didnotfailtogetdrunkeveryevening，anddidnotappearatTheLeadsinthemorningtillalatehour。
Advisedofthesecircumstances，Ichosethistimetomakemyescape，asIwascertainthatmyflightwouldnotbenoticedtilllateinthemorning。Anotherreasonformydeterminationtohurrymyescape，whenIcouldnolongerdoubtthevillainyofmydetestablecompanion，seemstometobeworthyofrecord。
Thegreatestreliefofamaninthemidstofmisfortuneisthehopeofescapingfromit。Hesighsforthehourwhenhissorrowsaretoend；hethinkshecanhastenitbyhisprayers；hewilldoanythingtoknowwhenhistormentsshallcease。Thesufferer，impatientandenfeebled，ismostlyinclinedtosuperstition。"God，"sayshe，"knowsthetime，andGodmayrevealittome，itmattersnothow。"
Whilstheisinthisstateheisreadytotrustindivinationinanymannerhisfancyleadshim，andismoreorlessdisposedtobelieveintheoracleofwhichhemakeschoice。
Ithenwasinthisstateofmind；butnotknowinghowtomakeuseoftheBibletoinformmeofthemomentinwhichIshouldrecovermyliberty，IdeterminedtoconsultthedivineOrlandoFurioso，whichI
hadreadahundredtimes，whichIknewbyheart，andwhichwasmydelightundertheLeads。IidolizedthegeniusofAriosto，andconsideredhimafarbetterfortune—tellerthanVirgil。
WiththisideaIwroteaquestionaddressedtothesupposedIntelligence，inwhichIaskinwhatcantoofAriostoIshouldfindthedayofmydeliverance。Ithenmadeareversedpyramidcomposedofthenumberformedfromthewordsofthequestion，andbysubtractingthenumbernineIobtained，finally，nine。ThistoldmethatIshouldfindmyfateintheninthcanto。Ifollowedthesamemethodtofindouttheexactstanzaandverse，andgotsevenforthestanzaandonefortheverse。
Itookupthepoem，andmyheartbeatingasifItrustedwhollyintheoracle，Iopenedit，turneddowntheleaf，andread；
’Frailfind’ottobre，ailcapodinovembre’。
Theprecisionofthelineanditsappropriatenesstomycircumstancesappearedsowonderfultome，thatIwillnotconfessthatIplacedmyfaithentirelyinit；butthereaderwillpardonmeifIsaythatI
didallinmypowertomakethepredictionacorrectone。ThemostsingularcircumstanceisthatbetweentheendofOctoberandthebeginningofNovember，thereisonlytheinstantmidnight，anditwasjustastheclockwasstrikingmidnightonthe3istofOctoberthatI
escapedfrommycell，asthereaderwillsoonsee。
ThefollowingisthemannerinwhichIpassedthemorningtostrikeaweintothesoulofthatviciousbrute，toconfoundhisfeebleintellect，andtorenderhimharmlesstome。
AssoonasLawrencehadleftusItoldSoradacitocomeandtakesomesoup。Thescoundrelwasinbed，andhehadtoldLawrencethathewasill。HewouldnothavedaredtoapproachmeifIhadnotcalledhim。
However，herosefromhisbed，andthrewhimselfflatuponthegroundatmyfeet，andsaid，weepingviolently，thatifIwouldnotforgivehimhewoulddiebeforethedaywasdone，ashealreadyfeltthecurseandthevengeanceoftheHolyVirginwhichIhaddenouncedagainsthim。Hefeltdevouringpainsinhisbowels，andhismouthwascoveredwithsores。Hesheweditme，andIsawitwasfullofulcers，butIcannotsaywhetheritwasthusthenightbefore。Ididnotmuchcaretoexaminehimtoseeifheweretellingmethetruth。
Mycuewastopretendtobelievehim，andtomakehimhopeformercy。
Ibeganbymakinghimeatanddrink。Thetraitormostlikelyintendedtodeceiveme，butasIwasmyselfdeterminedtodeceivehimitremainedtobeseenwhichwastheacuter。Ihadplannedanattackagainstwhichitwasimprobablethathecoulddefendhimself。
Assuminganinspiredair，Isaid，"Beseatedandtakethissoup，andafterwardsIwilltellyouofyourgoodfortune，forknowthattheVirginoftheRosaryappearedtomeatday—break，andbidsmepardonyou。Thoushaltnotdiebutlive，andshaltcomeoutofthisplacewithme。"Ingreatwonderment，andkneelingonthegroundforwantofachair，heatethesoupwithme，andafterwardsseatedhimselfonthebedtohearwhatIhadtosay。ThusIspoketohim:
"ThegriefIexperiencedatyourdreadfultreasonmademepassasleeplessnight，asthelettersmightcondemnmetospendheretheremnantofmydays。Myonlyconsolation，Iconfess，wasthecertaintythatyouwoulddieherealsobeforemyeyeswithinthreedays。FullofthisthoughtnotworthyofaChristian（forGodbidsusforgiveourenemies）mywearinessmademesleep，andinmysleepI
hadavision。IsawthatHolyVirgin，MotherofGod，whoselikenessyoubehold——Isawherbeforeme，andopeningherlipsshespokethus:
"’SoradaciisadevoteeofmyHolyRosary。Iprotecthim，andIwillthatyouforgivehim，andthenthecursehehasdrawnonhimselfwillcease。Inreturnforyourgenerosity，Iwillorderoneofmyangelstotaketheformofman，tocomedownfromheaven，tobreakopentheroofofyourprison，andsetyoufreewithinfiveorsixdays。Theangelwillbeginhistaskthisdayattwoo’clockprecisely，andhewillworktillhalfanhourbeforesunset，sincehemustascendagainintoheavenwhilethedaylightlasts。Whenyoucomeoutofthisplace，takeSoradaciwithyou，andhaveacareforhimifhewillrenouncehisbusinessofspying。Tellhimall。’
"WiththesewordstheHolyVirginvanishedoutofmysight，andI
awoke。"
Ispokeallthewhilewithaseriousfaceandtheairofoneinspired，andIsawthatthetraitorwaspetrified。IthentookmyBookofHours，sprinkledthecellwithholywater，andpretendedtopray，kissingfromtimetotimethepictureoftheVirgin。Anhourafterwardsthebrute，whosofarhadnotopenedhismouth，askedmebluntlyatwhattimetheangelwouldcomedownfromheaven，andifweshouldhearhimbreakinginthecell。
"Iamcertainthathewillbeginattwoo’clock，thatweshallhearhimathiswork，andthathewilldepartatthehournamedbytheHolyVirgin。"
"Youmayhavedreamtitall。"
"Nay，notso。Willyousweartometospynomore？"
Insteadofansweringhewentofftosleep，anddidnotawakefortwohoursafter，whenheaskedifhecouldputofftakingtheoath。I
askedofhim，"Youcanputofftakingit，"Isaid，"tilltheangelenterstosetmefree；butifyoudonotthenrenouncebyanoaththeinfamoustradewhichhasbroughtyouhere，andwhichwillendbybringingyoutothegallows，Ishallleaveyouinthecell，forsotheMotherofGodcommands，andifyoudonotobeyyouwillloseherprotection。"
AsIhadexpected，Isawanexpressionofsatisfactiononhishideousfeatures，forhewasquitecertainthattheangelwouldnotcome。Helookedatmewithapityingair。Ilongedtohearthehourstrike。
Theplayamusedmeintensely，forIwaspersuadedthattheapproachoftheangelwouldsethismiserablewitsa—reeling。Iwassure，also，thattheplanwouldsucceedifLawrencehadnotforgottentogivethemonkthebooks，andthiswasnotlikely。
AnhourbeforethetimeappointedIwasfaintodine。Ionlydrankwater，andSoradacidrankallthewineandconsumedallthegarlicI
had，andthusmadehimselfworse。
AssoonasIheardthefirststrokeoftwoIfellonmyknees，orderinghim，inanawfulvoice，todothelike。Heobeyed，lookingatmeinadazedway。WhenIheardthefirstslightnoiseI
examined，"Lo！theangelcometh！"andfelldownonmyface，andwithaheartyfisticuffforcedhimintothesameposition。Thenoiseofbreakingwasplainlyheard，andforaquarterofanhourIkeptinthattroublesomeposition，andifthecircumstanceshadbeendifferentIshouldhavelaughedtoseehowmotionlessthecreaturewas；butIrestrainedmyself，rememberingmydesignofcompletelyturningthefellow’shead，oratleastofobsessinghimforatime。
AssoonasIgotupIkneltandallowedhimtoimitateme，andI
spentthreehoursinsayingtherosarytohim。Fromtimetotimehedozedoff，weariedratherbyhispositionthanbythemonotonyoftheprayer，butduringthewholetimeheneverinterruptedme。Nowandagainhedaredtoraiseafurtiveglancetowardstheceiling。Withasortofstuporonhisface，heturnedhisheadinthedirectionoftheVirgin，andthewholeofhisbehaviourwasformethehighestcomedy。WhenIheardtheclockstrikethehourfortheworktocease，Isaidtohim，"Prostratethyself，fortheangeldeparteth。"
Balbireturnedtohiscell，andweheardhimnomore。AsIrosetomyfeet，fixingmygazeonthewretchedfellow，Ireadfrightoneveryfeature，andwasdelighted。IaddressedafewwordstohimthatImightseeinwhatstateofmindhewas。Heshedtearsinabundance，andwhathesaidwasmostlyextravagant，hisideashavingnosequenceorconnection。Hespokeofhissins，ofhisactsofdevotion，ofhiszealintheserviceofSt。Mark，andoftheworkhehaddonefortheCommonwealth，andtothisattributedthespecialfavoursMaryhadshewnhim。IhadtoputupwithalongstoryaboutthemiraclesoftheRosarywhichhiswife，whoseconfessorwasayoungDominican，hadtoldhim。HesaidthathedidnotknowwhatuseIcouldmakeofanignorantfellowlikehim。
"Iwilltakeyouintomyservice，andyoushallhaveallthatyouneedwithoutbeingobligedtopursuethehazardoustradeofaspy。"
"ShallwenotbeabletoremainatVenice？"
"Certainlynot。TheangelwilltakeustoalandwhichdoesnotbelongtoSt。Mark。Willyousweartomethatyouwillspynomore？
Andifyouswear，willyoubecomeaperjurerasecondtime？"
"IfItaketheoath，Iwillsurelykeepit，ofthattherecanbenodoubt；butyoumustconfessthatifIhadnotperjuredmyselfyouwouldneverhavereceivedsuchfavouratthehandsoftheVirgin。Mybrokenfaithisthecauseofyourbliss。Youought，therefore，tolovemeandtobecontentwithmytreason。"
"DostloveJudaswhobetrayedJesusChrist？"
"No。"
"Youperceive，then，thatonedeteststhetraitorandatthesametimeadorestheDivineProvidence，whichknowshowtobringgoodoutofevil。Uptothepresenttimeyouhavedonewickedly。YouhaveoffendedGodandtheVirginHisMother，andIwillnotreceiveyouroathtillyouhaveexpiatedyoursins。"
"WhatsinhaveIdone？"
"Youhavesinnedbypride，Soradaci，inthinkingthatIwasunderanobligationtoyouforbetrayingmeandgivingmyletterstothesecretary。"
"HowshallIexpiatethissin？"
"Thus。To—morrow，whenLawrencecomes，youmustlieonyourbed，yourfacetowardsthewall，andwithouttheslightestmotionorasingleglanceatLawrence。Ifheaddressyou，youmustanswer，withoutlookingathim，thatyoucouldnotsleep，andneedrest。Doyoupromisemeentirelytodothisthing？"
"Iwilldowhatsoeveryoutellme。"
"Quick，then，takeyouroathbeforethisholypicture。"
"Ipromise，HolyMotherofGod，thatwhenLawrencecomesIwillnotlookathim，norstirfrommybed。"
"AndI，MostHolyVirgin，swearbythebowelsofyourDivineSonthatifIseeSoradicimoveintheleastorlooktowardsLawrence，Iwillthrowmyselfstraightwayuponhimandstranglehimwithoutmercy，toyourhonourandglory。"
Icountedonmythreathavingatleastasmucheffectuponhimashisoath。Nevertheless，asIwasanxioustomakesure，Iaskedhimifhehadanythingtosayagainsttheoath，andafterthinkingforamomentheansweredthathewasquitecontentwithit。Wellpleasedmyself，Igavehimsomethingtoeat，andtoldhimtogotobedasIneededsleep。
AssoonashewasasleepIbegantowrite，andwroteonfortwohours。ItoldBalbiallthathadhappened，andsaidthatiftheworkwasfarenoughadvancedheneedonlycomeabovemycelltoputthefinalstroketoitandbreakthrough。Imadehimnotethatweshouldsetoutonthenightofthe31stofOctober，andthatweshouldbefourinall，countinghiscompanionandmine。Itwasnowthetwenty—
eighthofthemonth。
Inthemorningthemonkwrotemethatthepassagewasmade，andthatheshouldonlyrequiretoworkattheceilingofmycelltobreakthroughthelastboardandthiswouldbedoneinfourminutes。
Soradaciobservedhisoath，pretendingtosleep，andLawrencesaidnothingtohim。Ikeptmyeyesuponhimthewholetime，andIverilybelieveIshouldhavestrangledhimifhehadmadetheslightestmotiontowardsLawrence，forawinkwouldhavebeenenoughtobetrayme。
Therestofthedaywasdevotedtohighdiscoursesandexaltedexpressions，whichIutteredassolemnlyasIcould，andIenjoyedthesightofseeinghimbecomemoreandmorefanatical。ToheightentheeffectofmymysticexhortationIdosedhimheavilywithwine，anddidnotlethimgotillhehadfallenintoadrunkensleep。
Thoughastrangertoallmetaphysicalspeculations，andamanwhohadneverexercisedhisreasoningfacultiesexceptindevisingsomepieceofspy—craft，thefellowconfusedmeforamomentbysayingthathecouldnotconceivehowanangelshouldhavetotakesomuchtroubletobreakopenourcell。Butafterliftingmyeyestoheaven，orrathertotheroofofmydungeon—cell，Isaid，"ThewaysofGodareinscrutable；andsincethemessengerofHeavenworksnotasanangel（forthenaslightsingleblowwouldbeenough），heworkslikeaman，whoseformhehasdoubtlesstaken，aswearenotworthytolookuponhiscelestialbody。And，furthermore，"saidI，likeatrueJesuit，whoknowshowtodrawadvantagefromeverything，"Iforeseethattheangel，topunishusforyourevilthought，whichhasoffendedtheHolyVirgin，willnotcometo—day。Wretch，yourthoughtsarenotthoseofanhonest，pious，andreligiousman，butthoseofasinnerwhothinkshehastodowithMesser—Grandeandhismyrmidons。"
Iwantedtodrivehimtodespair，andIhadsucceeded。Hebegantoweepbitterly，andhissobsalmostchokedhim，whentwoo’clockstruckandnotsignoftheangelwasheard。InsteadofcalminghimI
endeavouredtoaugmenthismiserybymycomplaints。Thenextmorninghewasobedienttomyorders，forwhenLawrenceaskedhimhowhewas，herepliedwithoutmovinghishead。Hebehavedinthesamemanneronthedayfollowing，anduntilIsawLawrenceforthelasttimeonthemorningofthe31stOctober。IgavehimthebookforBarbi，andtoldthemonktocomeatnoontobreakthroughtheceiling。Ifearednothing，asLawrencehadtoldmethattheInquisitorsandthesecretaryhadalreadysetoutforthecountry。Ihadnoreasontodreadthearrivalofanewcompanion，andallIhadtodowastomanagemyknave。
AfterLawrencewasgoneItoldSoradacithattheangelwouldcomeandmakeanopeningintheceilingaboutnoon。
"Hewillbringapairofscissorswithhim，"Isaid，"andyouwillhavetocuttheangel’sbeardandmine。"
"Hastheangelabeard？"
"Yes，youshallseeitforyourself。Afterwardswewillgetoutofthecellandproceedtobreaktheroofofthepalace，whenceweshalldescendintoSt。Mark’sPlaceandsetoutforGermany。"
Heanswerednothing。Hehadtoeatbyhimself，formymindwastoomuchoccupiedtothinkaboutdinner——indeed，Ihadbeenunabletosleep。
Theappointedhourstruck——andtheangelcame，Soradaciwasgoingtofalldownonhisface，butItoldhimitwasnotnecessary。Inthreeminutesthepassagewascompleted，thepieceofboardfellatmyfeet，andFatherBalbiintomyarms。"Yourworkisendedandminebegun，"saidItohim。Weembracedeachother，andhegavemethepikeandapairofscissors。ItoldSoradacitocutourbeards，butIcouldnothelplaughingtoseethecreature——hismouthallagape—
staringattheangel，whowasmorelikeadevil。However，thoughquitebesidehimself，hecutourbeardsadmirably。
Anxioustoseehowthelandlay，ItoldthemonktostaywithSoradaci，asIdidnotcaretoleavehimalone，andIwentout。I
foundtheholeinthewallnarrow，butIsucceededingettingthroughit。Iwasabovethecount’scell，andIcameinandgreetedtheworthyoldman。Themanbeforemewasnotfittedtoencountersuchdiffiultiesaswouldbeinvolvedinanescapebyasteeproofcoveredwithplatesoflead。Heaskedmewhatmyplanwas，andtoldmethathethoughtIhadactedratherinconsiderately。"Ionlyasktogoforward，"saidI，"tillIfinddeathorfreedom。""Ifyouintend，"
heanswered，"topiercetheroofandtodescendfromthence，Iseenoprospectofsuccess，unlessyouhavewings；andIatalleventshavenotthecouragetoaccompanyyou。Iwillremainhere，andpraytoGodonyourbehalf。"
Iwentoutagaintolookattheroof，gettingascloseasIcouldtothesidesoftheloft。Touchingthelowerpartoftheroof，Itookupapositionbetweenthebeams，andfeelingthewoodwiththeendofthebarIluckilyfoundthemtobehalfrotten。Ateveryblowofthebartheyfelltodust，sofeelingcertainofmyabilitytomakealargeenoughholeinlessthanahourIreturnedtomycell，andforfourhoursemployedmyselfincuttingupsheets，coverlets，andbedding，tomakeropes。Itookcaretomaketheknotsmyselfandtobeassuredoftheirstrength，forasingleweakknotmightcostusourlives。AtlastIhadreadyahundredfathomsofrope。
Ingreatundertakingstherearecertaincriticalpointswhichtheleaderwhodeservestosucceedtruststonoonebuthimself。WhentheropewasreadyImadeaparcelofmysuit，mycloak，afewshirts，stockings，andhandkerchiefs，andthethreeofuswentintothecount’scell。ThefirstthingthecountdidwastocongratulateSoradacionhavingbeenplacedinthesamecellasmyself，andonbeingsosoonabouttoregainhisliberty。Hisairofspeechlessconfusionmademewanttolaugh。Itooknomoretroubleabouthim，forIhadthrownoffthemaskofTartuffewhichIhadfoundterriblyinconvenientallthetimeIhadwornitfortherascal’ssake。Heknew，Icouldsee，thathehadbeendeceived，butheunderstoodnothingelse，ashecouldnotmakeouthowIcouldhavearrangedwiththesupposedangeltocomeandgoatcertainfixedtimes。Helistenedattentivelytothecount，whotoldusweweregoingtoourdestruction，andlikethecowardthathewas，hebegantoplanhowtoescapefromthedangerousjourney。ItoldthemonktoputhisbundletogetherwhileIwasmakingtheholeintheroofbythesideoftheloft。
Ateighto’clock，withoutneedinganyhelp，myopeningwasmade。I
hadbrokenupthebeams，andthespacewastwicethesizerequired。
Igottheplateofleadoffinonepiece。Icouldnotdoitbymyself，becauseitwasriveted。Themonkcametomyaid，andbydintofdrivingthebarbetweenthegutterandtheleadIsucceededinlooseningit，andthen，heavingatitwithourshoulders，webeatituptilltheopeningwaswideenough。OnputtingmyheadoutthroughtheholeIwasdistressedtoseethebrilliantlightofthecrescentmoonthenenteringinitsfirstquarter。Thiswasapieceofbadluckwhichmustbebornepatiently，andweshouldhavetowaittillmidnight，whenthemoonwouldhavegonetolightuptheAntipodes。
OnsuchafinenightasthiseverybodywouldbewalkinginSt。
Mark’sPlace，andIdarednotshewmyselfontheroofasthemoonlightwouldhavethrownahugeshadowofmeontheplace，andhavedrawntowardsmealleyes，especiallythoseofMesser—Grandeandhismyrmidons，andourfineschemewouldhavebeenbroughttonothingbytheirdetestableactivity。Iimmediatelydecidedthatwecouldnotescapetillafterthemoonset；inthemeantimeIprayedforthehelpofGod，butdidnotaskHimtoworkanymiraclesforme。IwasatthemercyofFortune，andIhadtotakecarenottogiveheranyadvantages；andifmyschemeendedinfailureIshouldbeconsoledbythethoughtthatIhadnotmadeasinglemistake。Themoonwouldsetatelevenandsunrisewasatsix，sowehadsevenhoursofperfectdarknessatourservice；andthoughwehadahardtask，Iconsideredthatinsevenhoursitwouldbeaccomplished。
ItoldFatherBalbithatwecouldpassthethreehoursintalkingtoCountAsquin。Irequestedhimtogofirstandaskthecounttolendmethirtysequins，whichwouldbeasnecessarytomeasmypikehadbeenhitherto。Hecarriedmymessage，andafewminutesaftercameandaskedmetogomyself，asthecountwishedtotalktomealone。
ThepooroldmanbeganbysayingwithgreatpolitenessthatIreallystoodinnoneedofmoneytoescape，thathehadnone，thathehadalargefamily，thatifIwaskilledthemoneywouldbelost，withathousandotherfutilitiesofthesamekindtodisguisehisavarice，orthedislikehefelttopartingwithhismoney。Myreplylastedforhalfanhour，andcontainedsomeexcellentarguments，whichneverhavehadandneverwillhaveanyforce，asthefinestweaponsoforatoryarebluntedwhenusedagainstoneofthestrongestofthepassions。Itwasamatterofa’nolentibaculus’；notthatIwascruelenoughtouseforcetowardsanunhappyoldmanlikethecount。
IendedmyspeechbysayingthatifhewouldfleewithusIwouldcarryhimuponmybacklikeAEneascarriedAnchises；butifhewasgoingtostayinprisontoofferupprayersforoursuccess，hisprayerswouldbeobserved，asitwouldbeacaseofprayingGodtogivesuccesswhenhehimselfhadrefusedtocontributethemostordinaryaid。
Herepliedbyafloodoftears，whichaffectedme。Hethenaskediftwosequinswouldbeenough，andIansweredintheaffirmative。HethengavethemtomebeggingmetoreturnthemtohimifaftergettingontheroofIsawmywisestcoursewouldbetocomeback。I
promisedtodoso，feelingsomewhatastonishedthatheshoulddeemmecapableofaretreat。Helittleknewme，forIwouldhavepreferreddeathtoanimprisonmentwhichwouldhavebeenlife—long。
Icalledmycompanions，andwesetallourbaggagenearthehole。I
dividedthehundredfathomsofropeintotwopackets，andwespenttwohoursintalkingoverthechancesofourundertaking。ThefirstproofwhichFatherBalbigavemeofhisfinecharacterwastotellme，tentimesover，thatIhadbrokenmywordwithhim，sinceIhadassuredhimthatmyschemewascompleteandcertain，whileitwasreallynothingofthekind。Hewentsofarastotellmethatifhehadknownasmuchhewouldnothavetakenmefrommycell。Thecountalso，withalltheweightofhisseventyyears，toldmethatIshoulddowelltogiveupsohazardousanundertaking，inwhichsuccesswasimpossibleanddeathprobable。Ashewasabarristerhemademeaspeechasfollows，andIhadnotmuchdifficultyinguessingthathewasinspiredbythethoughtofthetwosequinswhichIshouldhavehadtogivehimback，ifhehadsucceededinpersuadingmetostaywhereIwas:
"Theinclineoftheroofcoveredwithleadplates，"saidhe，"willrenderitimpossibleforyoutowalk，indeedyouwillscarcelybeabletostandonyourfeet。Itistruethattheroofhassevenoreightwindows，buttheyareallbarredwithiron，andyoucouldnotkeepyourfootingnearthemsincetheyarefarfromthesides。Yourropesareuseless，asyouwillfindnothingwhereontofastenthem；
andevenifyoudid，amandescendingfromsuchaheightcannotreachthegroundbyhimself。Oneofyouwillthereforehavetolowerthetwoothersoneatatimeasonelowersabucketorabundleofwood，andhewhodoessowillhavetostaybehindandgobacktohiscell。
Whichofyouthreehasavocationforthisdangerousworkofcharity？
Andsupposingthatoneofyouisheroicenoughtodoso，canyoutellmeonwhichsideyouaregoingtodescend？Notbythesidetowardsthepalace，foryouwouldbeseen；notbythechurch，asyouwouldfindyourselvesstillshutup，andastothecourtsideyousurelywouldnotthinkofit，foryouwouldfallintothehandsofthe’arsenalotti’whoarealwaysgoingtheirroundsthere。Youhaveonlythecanalsideleft，andwhereisyourgondolatotakeyouoff？Nothavinganysuchthing，youwillbeobligedtothrowyourselfinandescapebyswimmingtowardsSt。Appollonia，whichyouwillreachinawretchedcondition，notknowingwheretoturntonext。Youmustrememberthattheleadsareslippery，andthatifyouweretofallintothecanal，consideringtheheightofthefallandtheshallownessofthewater，youwouldmostcertainlybekilledifyoucouldswimlikesharks。Youwouldbecrushedtodeath，forthreeorfourfeetofwaterarenotsufficienttocounteracttheeffectofafallfromsuchaheight。Inshort，thebestfateyoucanexpectistofindyourselvesonthegroundwithbrokenarmsandlegs。"
Theeffectofthisdiscourse——averyunseasonableone，underthecircumstances——wastomakemybloodboil，butIlistenedwithapatiencewhollyforeigntomynature。Theroughreproachesofthemonkenragedme，andinclinedmetoanswerhiminhisownway；butI
feltthatmypositionwasadifficultone，andthatunlessIwascarefulImightruinall，forIhadtodowithacowardquitecapableofsayingthathewasnotgoingtoriskhislife，andbymyselfI
couldnothopetosucceed。Iconstrainedmyself，therefore，andaspolitelyasIcouldItoldthemthatIwassureofsuccess，thoughI
couldnotasyetcommunicatethedetailsofmyplan。"Ishallprofitbyyourwisecounsels，"saidItoCountAsquin，"andbeveryprudent，butmytrustinGodandinmyownstrengthwillcarrymethroughalldifficulties。"
>FromtimetotimeIstretchedoutmyhandtoassuremyselfthatSoradaciwasthere，forhedidnotspeakaword。IlaughedtomyselftothinkwhathemightbeturninginhisheadnowthathewasconvincedthatIhaddeceivedhim。Athalf—pasttenItoldhimtogoandseewhatwasthepositionofthemoon。Heobeyedandreturned，sayingthatinanhouranda—halfitwouldhavedisappeared，andthattherewasathickfogwhichwouldmaketheleadsverydangerous。
"AllIask，"Isaid，"isthatthefogbenotmadeofoil。Putyourcloakinapacketwithsomeoftheropewhichmustbedividedequallybetweenus。"
AtthisIwasastonishedtofindhimatmykneeskissingmyhands，andentreatingmenottokillhim。"Ishouldbesure，"saidhe，"tofalloverintothecanal，andIshouldnotbeofanyusetoyou。Ah！
leavemehere，andallthenightIwillpraytoSt。Francisforyou。
Youcankillmeorsavemealive；butofthisIamdetermined，nevertofollowyou。"
Thefoolneverthoughthowhehadrespondedtomyprayers。
"Youareright，"Isaid，"youmaystophereontheconditionthatyouwillpraytoSt。Francis；andthatyougoforthwithandfetchmybooks，whichIwishtoleavetothecount。"
Hedidsowithoutansweringme，doubtlesswithmuchjoy。Mybookswereworthatleastahundredcrowns。Thecounttoldmethathewouldgivethembackonmyreturn。
"Youmaybesure，"Isaid，"thatyouwillneverseemehereagain。
Thebookswillcoveryourexpenditureoftwosequins。Astothisrascal，Iamdelighted，ashecannotmustersufficientcouragetocomewithme。Hewouldbeintheway，andthefellowisnotworthyofsharingwithFatherBalbiandmyselfthehonoursofsobraveaflight。"
"That’strue，"saidthecount，"providedthathedoesnotcongratulatehimselfto—morrow。"
Iaskedthecounttogivemepens，ink，andpaper，whichhepossessedinspiteoftheregulationstothecontrary，forsuchprohibitionswerenothingtoLawrence，whowouldhavesoldSt。Markhimselfforacrown。Ithenwrotethefollowingletter，whichIgavetoSoradaci，notbeingabletoreaditover，asIhadwrittenitinthedark。I
beganbyafineheading，whichIwroteinLatin，andwhichinEnglishwouldrunthus:
"’Ishallnotdie，butliveanddeclaretheworksoftheLord。’"
"OurlordsofstateareboundtodoallintheirpowertokeepaprisonerundertheLeads，andontheotherhandtheprisoner，whoisfortunatelynotonparole，isboundalsotomakehisescape。Theirrighttoactthusisfoundedonjustice，whiletheprisonerfollowsthevoiceofnature；andsincetheyhavenotaskedhimwhetherhewillbeputinprison，soheoughtnottoaskthemleavetoescape。
"JacquesCasanova，writinginthebitternessofhisheart，knowsthathemayhavetheilllucktoberecapturedbeforehesucceedsinleavingtheVenetianterritoryandescapingtoafriendlystate；butifso，heappealstothehumanityofthejudgesnottoaddtothemiseryoftheconditionfromwhich，yieldingtothevoiceofnature，heisendeavouringtoescape。Hebegsthem，ifhebetaken，toreturnhimwhatevermaybeinhiscell，butifhesucceedhegivesthewholetoFrancisSoradaci，whoisstillacaptiveforwantofcouragetoescape，notlikemepreferringlibertytolife。Casanovaentreatstheirexcellenciesnottorefusethepoorwretchthisgift。
Datedanhourbeforemidnight，inthecellofCountAsquin，onOctober31t，1756。"
IwarnedSoradacinottogivethislettertoLawrence，buttothesecretaryinperson，who，nodoubt，wouldinterrogatehimifhedidnotgohimselftothecell，whichwasthemorelikelycourse。Thecountsaidmyletterwasperfect，butthathewouldgivemebackallmybooksifIreturned。Thefoolsaidhewishedtoseemeagaintoprovethathewouldreturneverythinggladly。
Butourtimewascome。Themoonhadset。IhungthehalfoftheropesbyFatherBalbi’sneckononesideandhisclothesontheother。Ididthesametomyself，andwithourhatsonandourcoatsoffwewenttotheopening。
Equindiuscimmoarimirarlestelle。——DANTE。
CHAPTERXXX
TheEscapeINearlyLoseMyLifeontheRoofIGetoutoftheDucalPalace，TakeaBoat，andReachtheMainland——DangertoWhichIAmExposedbyFatherBalbi——MySchemeforRiddingMyselfofHimIgotoutthefirst，andFatherBalbifollowedme。Soradaciwhohadcomeasfarastheopening，hadorderstoputtheplateofleadbackinitsplace，andthentogoandpraytoSt。Francisforus。Keepingonmyhandsandknees，andgraspingmypikefirmlyIpusheditobliquelybetweenthejoiningoftheplatesoflead，andthenholdingthesideoftheplatewhichIhadliftedIsucceededindrawingmyselfuptothesummitoftheroof。Themonkhadtakenholdofmywaistbandtofollowme，andthusIwaslikeabeastofburdenwhohastocarryanddrawalongatthesametime；andthisonasteepandslipperyroof。
Whenwewerehalf—wayupthemonkaskedmetostop，asoneofhispacketshadslippedoff，andhehopedithadnotgonefurtherthanthegutter。Myfirstthoughtwastogivehimakickandtosendhimafterhispacket，but，praisedbetoGod！Ihadsufficientself—
controlnottoyieldtoit，andindeedthepunishmentwouldhavebeentooheavyforbothofus，asIshouldhavehadnochanceofescapingbymyself。Iaskedhimifitwerethebundleofrope，andonhisreplyingthatitwasasmallpacketofhisowncontainingmanuscripthehadfoundinoneofthegarretsundertheLeads，Itoldhimhemustbearitpatiently，asasinglestepmightbeourdestruction。
Thepoormonkgaveasigh，andhestillclingingtomywaistwecontinuedclimbing。
Afterhavingsurmountedwiththegreatestdifficultyfifteenorsixteenplateswegottothetop，onwhichIsatastride，FatherBalbiimitatingmyexample。OurbacksweretowardsthelittleislandofSt。GeorgetheGreater，andabouttwohundredpacesinfrontofuswerethenumerouscupolasofSt。Mark’sChurch，whichformspartoftheducalpalace，forSt。Mark’sisreallytheDoge’sprivatechapel，andnomonarchintheworldcanboastofhavingafiner。Myfirststepwastotakeoffmybundle，andItoldmycompaniontodothesame。Heputtheropeasbesthecoulduponhisthighs，butwishingtotakeoffhishat，whichwasinhisway，hetookholdofitawkwardly，anditwassoondancingfromplatetoplatetojointhepacketoflineninthegutter。Mypoorcompanionwasindespair。
"Abadomen，"heexclaimed；"ourtaskisbutbegunandhereamI
deprivedofshirt，hat，andapreciousmanuscript，containingacuriousaccountofthefestivalsofthepalace。"
IfeltcalmernowthatIwasnolongercrawlingonhandsandknees，andItoldhimquietlythatthetwoaccidentswhichhadhappenedtohimhadnothingextraordinaryinthem，andthatnotevenasuperstitiouspersonwouldcallthemomens，thatIdidnotconsidertheminthatlight，andthattheywerefarfromdampingmyspirits。
"Theyoughtrather，"saidI，"towarnyoutobeprudent，andtoremindyouthatGodiscertainlywatchingoverus，forifyourhathadfallentotheleftinsteadoftotheright，weshouldhavebeenundone；asinthatcaseitwouldhavefallenintothepalacecourt，whereitwouldhavecaughttheattentionoftheguards，andhaveletthemknowthattherewassomeoneontheroof；andinafewminutesweshouldhavebeenretaken。"
AfterlookingaboutmeforsometimeItoldthemonktostaystilltillIcameback，andIsetout，mypikeinmyhand，sittingastridetheroofandmovingalongwithoutanydifficulty。FornearlyanhourIwenttothissideandthat，keepingasharplook—out，butinvain；
forIcouldseenothingtowhichtheropecouldbefastened，andI
wasinthegreatestperplexityastowhatwastobedone。Itwasofnousethinkingofgettingdownonthecanalsideorbythecourtofthepalace，andthechurchofferedonlyprecipiceswhichledtonothing。TogettotheothersideofthechurchtowardstheCanonica，IshouldhavehadtoclimbroofssosteepthatIsawnoprospectofsuccess。Thesituationcalledforhardihood，butnotthesmallestpieceofrashness。
Itwasnecessary，however，eithertoescape，ortoreentertheprison，perhapsneveragaintoleaveit，ortothrowmyselfintothecanal。Insuchadilemmaitwasnecessarytoleaveagooddealtochance，andtomakeastartofsomekind。Myeyecaughtawindowonthecanalsides，andtwo—thirdsofthedistancefromtheguttertothesummitoftheroof。ItwasagooddistancefromthespotIhadsetoutfrom，soIconcludedthatthegarretlightedbyitdidnotformpartoftheprisonIhadjustbroken。Itcouldonlylightaloft，inhabitedoruninhabited，abovesomeroomsinthepalace，thedoorsofwhichwouldprobablybeopenedbyday—break。Iwasmorallysurethatifthepalaceservantssawustheywouldhelpustoescape，andnotdeliverusovertotheInquisitors，eveniftheyrecognizedusascriminalsofthedeepestdye；soheartilywastheStateInquisitionhatedbyeveryone。
Itwasthusnecessaryformetogetinfrontofthewindow，andlettingmyselfslidesoftlydowninastraightlineIsoonfoundmyselfastrideontopofthedormer—roof。ThengraspingthesidesI
stretchedmyheadover，andsucceededinseeingandtouchingasmallgrating，behindwhichwasawindowofsquarepanesofglassjoinedwiththinstripsoflead。Ididnottroublemyselfaboutthewindow，butthegrating，smallasitwas，appearedaninsurmountabledifficulty，failingafile，andIhadonlymypike。
Iwasthoroughlyperplexed，andwasbeginningtolosecourage，whenanincidentofthesimplestandmostnaturalkindcametomyaidandfortifiedmyresolution。
Philosophicreader，ifyouwillplaceyourselfforamomentinmyposition，ifyouwillsharethesufferingswhichforfifteenmonthshadbeenmylot，ifyouthinkofmydangeronthetopofaroof，wheretheslighteststepinawrongdirectionwouldhavecostmemylife，ifyouconsiderthefewhoursatmydisposaltoovercomedifficultieswhichmightspringupatanymoment，thecandidconfessionIamabouttomakewillnotlowermeinyouresteem；atanyrate，ifyoudonotforgetthatamaninananxiousanddangerouspositionisinrealityonlyhalfhimself。
ItwastheclockofSt。Mark’sstrikingmidnight，which，byaviolentshock，drewmeoutofthestateofperplexityIhadfalleninto。TheclockremindedmethatthedayjustbeginningwasAllSaints’Day——thedayofmypatronsaint（atleastifIhadone）——andtheprophecyofmyconfessorcameintomymind。ButIconfessthatwhatchieflystrengthenedme，bothbodilyandmentally，wastheprofaneoracleofmybelovedAriosto:’Frailfind’ottobre，ailcapodinovembre’。
Thechimeseemedtomeaspeakingtalisman，commandingmetobeupanddoing，——and——promisingmethevictory。LyingonmybellyI
stretchedmyheaddowntowardsthegrating，andpushingmypikeintothesashwhichhelditIresolvedtotakeitoutinapiece。InaquarterofanhourIsucceeded，andheldthewholegrateinmyhands，——andputtingitononesideIeasilybroketheglasswindow，thoughwoundingmylefthand。
Withtheaidofmypike，usingitasIhaddonebefore，Iregainedtheridgeoftheroof，andwentbacktothespotwhereIhadleftBalbi。Ifoundhimenragedanddespairing，andheabusedmeheartilyforhavinglefthimforsolong。Heassuredmethathewasonlywaitingforittogetlighttoreturntotheprison。
"Whatdidyouthinkhadbecomeofme？"
"Ithoughtyoumusthavefallenover。"
"Andyoucanfindnobetterwaythanabusetoexpressthejoyyououghttofeelatseeingmeagain？"
"Whathaveyoubeendoingallthistime。？"
"Followme，andyoushallsee。"
Itookupmypacketsagainandmademywaytowardsthewindow。AssoonaswereoppositetoitItoldBalbiwhatIhaddone，andaskedhimifhecouldthinkofanywayofgettingintotheloft。Foroneitwaseasyenough，fortheothercouldlowerhimbytherope；butI
couldnotdiscoverhowthesecondofuswastogetdownafterwards，astherewasnothingtowhichtheropecouldbefastened。IfIletmyselffallImightbreakmyarmsandlegs，forIdidnotknowthedistancebetweenthewindowandtheflooroftheroom。Tothischainofreasoningutteredinthefriendliestpossibletone，thebruterepliedthus:
"Youletmedown，andwhenIhavegottothebottomyouwillhaveplentyoftimetothinkhowyouaregoingtofollowme。"
Iconfessthatmyfirstindignantimpulsewastodrivemypikeintohisthroat。Mygoodgeniusstayedmyarm，andIutterednotawordinreproachofhisbaseselfishness。Onthecontrary，Istraightwayuntiedmybundleofropeandboundhimstronglyundertheelbows，andmakinghimlieflatdownIloweredhimfeetforemostontotheroofofthedormer—window。WhenhegotthereItoldhimtolowerhimselfintothewindowasfarashiships，supportinghimselfbyholdinghiselbowsagainstthesidesofthewindow。Assoonashehaddoneso，I
sliddowntheroofasbefore，andlyingdownonthedormer—roofwithafirmgraspoftheropeItoldthemonknottobeafraidbuttolethimselfgo。Whenhereachedtheflooroftheloftheuntiedhimself，andondrawingtheropebackIfoundthefallwasoneoffiftyfeet—
toodangerousajumptoberisked。Themonkwhofortwohourshadbeenapreytoterror；seatedinapositionwhichIconfesswasnotaveryreassuringone，wasnotquitecool，andcalledouttometothrowhimtheropesforhimtotakecareof——apieceofadviceyoumaybesureItookcarenottofollow。
Notknowingwhattodonext，andwaitingforsomefortunateidea，I
mademywaybacktotheridgeoftheroof，andfromtherespiedoutacornernearacupola；whichIhadnotvisited。Iwenttowardsitandfoundaflatroof，withalargewindowclosedwithtwoshutters。Athandwasatubfulofplaster，atrowel，andladderwhichIthoughtlongenoughformypurpose。Thiswasenough，andtyingmyropetothefirstroundIdraggedthistroublesomeburdenaftermetothewindow。Mynexttaskwastogettheendoftheladder（whichwastwelvefathomslong）intotheopening，andthedifficultiesI
encounteredmademesorrythatIhaddeprivedmyselfoftheaidofthemonk。[Theunitofmeasure:’fathoms’describingtheladderandearlierthe100fathomsofrope，islikelyatranslationerror:
Casanovamighthavemanufactured100feetofropeandmighthavedraggeda12footladderupthesteeproof，butnotalonger。D。W。]
Ihadsettheladderinsuchawaythatoneendtouchedthewindow，andtheotherwentbelowthegutter。Inextsliddowntotheroofofthewindow，anddrawingtheladdertowardsmeIfastenedtheendofmyropetotheeighthround，andthenletitgoagaintillitwasparallelwiththewindow。Ithenstrovetogetitin，butIcouldnotinsertitfartherthanthefifthround，fortheendoftheladderbeingstoppedbytheinsideroofofthewindownoforceonearthcouldhavepusheditanyfurtherwithoutbreakingeithertheladderortheceiling。Therewasnothingtobedonebuttoliftitbytheotherend；itwouldthenslipdownbyitsownweight。Imight，itistrue，haveplacedtheladderacrossthewindow，andhavefastenedtheropetoit，inwhichmannerImighthaveletmyselfdownintotheloftwithoutanyrisk；buttheladderwouldhavebeenleftoutsidetoshewLawrenceandtheguardswheretolookforusandpossiblytofindusinthemorning。
Ididnotcaretoriskbyapieceofimprudencethefruitofsomuchtoilanddanger，andtodestroyalltracesofourwhereaboutstheladdermustbedrawnin。Havingnoonetogivemeahelpinghand，I
resolvedtogomyselftotheparapettolifttheladderandattaintheendIhadinview。Ididso，butatsuchahazardashadalmostcostmemylife。IcouldletgotheladderwhileIslackenedtheropewithoutanyfearofitsfallingover，asithadcaughttotheparapetbythethirdrung。Then，mypikeinmyhand，Isliddownbesidetheladdertotheparapet，whichheldupthepointsofmyfeet，asIwaslyingonmybelly。InthispositionIpushedtheladderforward，andwasabletogetitintothewindowtothelengthofafoot，andthatdiminishedbyagooddealitsweight。Inowonlyhadtopushitinanothertwofeet，asIwassurethatIcouldgetitinaltogetherbymeansoftheropefromtheroofofthewindow。ToimpeltheladdertotheextentrequiredIgotonmyknees，buttheeffortIhadtousemademeslip，andinaninstantIwasovertheparapetasfarasmychest，sustainedbymyelbows。
IshudderstillwhenIthinkofthisawfulmoment，whichcannotbeconceivedinallitshorror。Mynaturalinstinctmademealmostunconsciouslystraineverynervetoregaintheparapet，and——Ihadnearlysaidmiraculously——Isucceeded。TakingcarenottoletmyselfslipbackaninchIstruggledupwardswithmyhandsandarms，whilemybellywasrestingontheedgeoftheparapet。Fortunatelytheladderwassafe，forwiththatunluckyeffortwhichhadnearlycostmesodearlyIhadpusheditinmorethanthreefeet，andthereitremained。
Findingmyselfrestingonmygroinontheparapet，IsawthatIhadonlytoliftupmyrightlegandtoputupfirstonekneeandthentheothertobeabsolutelyoutofdanger；butIhadnotyetgottotheendofmytrouble。TheeffortImadegavemesosevereaspasmthatIbecamecrampedandunabletousemylimbs。However，Ididnotlosemyhead，butkeptquiettillthepainhadgoneoff，knowingbyexperiencethatkeepingstillisthebestcureforthefalsecramp。
Itwasadreadfulmoment！IntwominutesImadeanothereffort，andhadthegoodfortunetogetmytwokneesontotheparapet，andassoonasIhadtakenbreathIcautiouslyhoistedtheladderandpushedithalf—waythroughthewindow。Ithentookmypike，andcrawlingupasIhaddonebeforeIreachedthewindow，wheremyknowledgeofthelawsofequilibriumandleverageaidedmetoinserttheladdertoitsfulllength，mycompanionreceivingtheendofit。IthenthrewintotheloftthebundlesandthefragmentsthatIhadbrokenoffthewindow，andIsteppeddowntothemonk，whowelcomedmeheartilyanddrewintheladder。Arminarm，weproceededtoinspectthegloomyretreatinwhichwefoundourselves，andjudgedittobeaboutthirtypaceslongbytwentywide。
Atoneendwerefolding—doorsbarredwithiron。Thislookedbad，butputtingmyhandtothelatchinthemiddleityieldedtothepressure，andthedooropened。Thefirstthingwedidwastomakethetouroftheroom，andcrossingitwestumbledagainstalargetablesurroundedbystoolsandarmchairs。Returningtothepartwherewehadseenwindows，weopenedtheshuttersofoneofthem，andthelightofthestarsonlyshewedus:thecupolasandthedepthsbeneaththem。Ididnotthinkforamomentofloweringmyselfdown，asIwishedtoknowwhereIwasgoing，andIdidnotrecognizeoursurroundings。Ishutthewindowup，andwereturnedtotheplacewherewehadleftourpackages。QuiteexhaustedIletmyselffallonthefloor，andplacingabundleofropeundermyheadasweetsleepcametomy，relief。Iabandonedmyselftoitwithoutresistance，andindeed，Ibelieveifdeathweretohavebeentheresult，Ishouldhavesleptallthesame，andIstillrememberhowIenjoyedthatsleep。
Itlastedforthreeandahalfhours，andIwasawakenedbythemonk’scallingoutandshakingme。Hetoldmethatithadjuststruckfive。HesaiditwasinconceivabletohimhowIcouldsleepinthesituationwewerein。Butthatwhichwasinconceivabletohimwasnotsotome。Ihadnotfallenasleeponpurpose，buthadonlyyieldedtothedemandsofexhaustednature，and，ifImaysayso，totheextremityofmyneed。Inmyexhaustiontherewasnothingtowonderat，sinceIhadneithereatennorsleptfortwodays，andtheeffortsIhadmade——effortsalmostbeyondthelimitsofmortalendurance——mightwellhaveexhaustedanyman。Inmysleepmyactivityhadcomebacktome，andIwasdelightedtoseethedarknessdisappearing，sothatweshouldbeabletoproceedwithmorecertaintyandquickness。
Castingarapidglancearound，Isaidtomyself，"Thisisnotaprison，thereought，therefore，besomeeasyexitfromit。"Weaddressedourselvestotheendoppositetothefolding—doors，andinanarrowrecessIthoughtImadeoutadoorway。Ifeltitoverandtouchedalock，intowhichIthrustmypike，andopeneditwiththreeorfourheaves。Wethenfoundourselvesinasmallroom，andI
discoveredakeyonatable，whichItriedonadooroppositetous，which，however，provedtobeunlocked。Itoldthemonktogoforourbundles，andreplacingthekeywepassedoutandcameintoagallerycontainingpressesfullofpapers。Theywerethestatearchives。I
cameacrossashortflightofstonestairs，whichIdescended，thenanother，whichIdescendedalso，andfoundaglassdoorattheend，onopeningwhichIenteredahallwellknowntome:wewereintheducalchancery。Iopenedawindowandcouldhavegotdowneasily，buttheresultwouldhavebeenthatweshouldhavebeentrappedinthemazeoflittlecourtsaroundSt。Mark’sChurch。Isawonadeskanironinstrument，ofwhichItookpossession；ithadaroundedpointandawoodenhandle，beingusedbytheclerksofthechancerytopierceparchmentsforthepurposeofaffixingtheleadenseals。
OnopeningthedeskIsawthecopyofaletteradvisingtheProveditoreofCorfuofagrantofthreethousandsequinsfortherestorationoftheoldfortress。Isearchedforthesequinsbuttheywerenotthere。GodknowshowgladlyIwouldhavetakenthem，andhowIwouldhavelaughedthemonktoscornifhehadaccusedmeoftheft！IshouldhavereceivedthemoneyasagiftfromHeaven，andshouldhaveregardedmyselfasitsmasterbyconquest。
Goingtothedoorofthechancery，Iputmybarinthekeyhole，butfindingimmediatelythatIcouldnotbreakitopen，Iresolvedonmakingaholeinthedoor。Itookcaretochoosethesidewherethewoodhadfewestknots，andworkingwithallspeedIstruckashardandascleavingstrokesasIwasable。Themonk，whohelpedmeaswellashecouldwiththepunchIhadtakenfromthedesk，trembledattheechoingclamourofmypikewhichmusthavebeenaudibleatsomedistance。Ifeltthedangermyself，butithadtoberisked。
Inhalfanhourtheholewaslargeenough——afortunatecircumstance，forIshouldhavehadmuchtroubleinmakingitanylargerwithouttheaidofasaw。IwasafraidwhenIlookedattheedgesofthehole，fortheybristledwithjaggedpiecesofwoodwhichseemedmadefortearingclothesandfleshtogether。Theholewasataheightoffivefeetfromtheground。Weplacedbeneathittwostools，onebesidetheother，andwhenwehadsteppeduponthemthemonkwitharmscrossedandheadforemostbegantomakehiswaythroughthehole，andtakinghimbythethighs，andafterwardsbythelegs，I
succeededinpushinghimthrough，andthoughitwasdarkIfeltquitesecure，asIknewthesurroundings。AssoonasmycompanionhadreachedtheothersideIthrewhimmybelongings，withtheexceptionoftheropes，whichIleftbehind，andplacingathirdstoolonthetwoothers，Iclimbedup，andgotthroughasfarasmymiddle，thoughwithmuchdifficulty，owingtotheextremenarrownessofthehole。
Then，havingnothingtograspwithmyhands，noranyonetopushmeasIhadpushedthemonk，Iaskedhimtotakeme，anddrawmegentlyandbyslowdegreestowardshim。Hedidso，andIenduredsilentlythefearfultortureIhadtoundergo，asmythighsandlegsweretornbythesplintersofwood。
AssoonasIgotthroughImadehastetopickupmybundleoflinen，andgoingdowntwoflightsofstairsIopenedwithoutdifficultythedoorleadingintothepassagewhenceopensthechiefdoortothegrandstaircase，andinanotherthedooroftheclosetofthe’Savioallascrittura’。Thechiefdoorwaslocked，andIsawatoncethat，failingacatapultoramineofgunpowder，Icouldnotpossiblygetthrough。ThebarIstillheldseemedtosay，"Hicfinesposuit。Myuseisendedandyoucanlaymedown。"Itwasdeartomeastheinstrumentoffreedom，andwasworthyofbeinghungasan’exvoto’
onthealtarofliberty。
Isatdownwiththeutmosttranquillity，andtoldthemonktodothesame。
"Myworkisdone，"Isaid，"therestmustbelefttoGodandfortune。
"Abbiachireggeilcielcuradelresto，Olafortunasenontoccaalui。
"Idonotknowwhetherthosewhosweepoutthepalacewillcomehereto—day，whichisAllSaints’Day，ortomorrow，AllSouls’Day。Ifanyonecomes，Ishallrunoutassoonasthedooropens，anddoyoufollowafterme；butifnobodycomes，Idonotbudgeastep，andifI
dieofhungersomuchtheworseforme。"
Atthisspeechofminehebecamebesidehimself。Hecalledmeamadman，seducer，deceiver，andaliar。Ilethimtalk，andtooknonotice。Itstrucksix；onlyanhourhadpassedsinceIhadmyawakeningintheloft。
Myfirsttaskwastochangemyclothes。FatherBalbilookedlikeapeasant，buthewasinbetterconditionthanI，hisclotheswerenottorntoshredsorcoveredwithblood，hisredflannelwaistcoatandpurplebreecheswereintact，whilemyfigurecouldonlyinspirepityorterror，sobloodstainedandtatteredwasI。Itookoffmystockings，andthebloodgushedoutoftwowoundsIhadgivenmyselfontheparapet，whilethesplintersintheholeinthedoorhadtornmywaistcoat，shirt，breeches，legsandthighs。Iwasdreadfullywoundedallovermybody。Imadebandagesofhandkerchiefs，anddressedmywoundsasbestIcould，andthenputonmyfinesuit，whichonawinter’sdaywouldlookoddenough。Havingtiedupmyhair，Iputonwhitestockings，alacedshirt，failinganyother，andtwoothersoverit，andthenstowingawaysomestockingsandhandkerchiefsinmypockets，Ithreweverythingelseintoacorneroftheroom。Iflungmyfinecloakoverthemonk，andthefellowlookedasifhehadstolenit。Imusthavelookedlikeamanwhohasbeentoadanceandhasspenttherestofthenightinadisorderlyhouse，thoughtheonlyfoiltomyreasonableeleganceofattirewasthebandagesroundmyknees。
Inthisguise，withmyexquisitehattrimmedwithSpanishlaceandadornedwithawhitefeatheronmyhead，Iopenedawindow。Iwasimmediatelyremarkedbysomeloungerinthepalacecourt，who，notunderstandingwhatanyoneofmyappearancewasdoingthereatsuchanearlyhour，wenttotellthedoor—keeperofthecircumstance。He，thinkinghemusthavelockedsomebodyinthenightbefore，wentforhiskeysandcametowardsus。Iwassorrytohaveletmyselfbeseenatthewindow，notknowingthatthereinchancewasworkingforourescape，andwassittingdownlisteningtotheidletalkofthemonk，whenIheardthejinglingofkeys。MuchperturbedIgotupandputmyeyetoachinkinthedoor，andsawamanwithagreatbunchofkeysinhishandmountingleisurelyupthestairs。Itoldthemonknottoopenhismouth，tokeepwellbehindme，andtofollowmysteps。Itookmypike，andconcealingitinmyrightsleeveIgotintoacornerbythedoor，whenceIcouldgetoutassoonasitwasopenedandrundownthestairs。Iprayedthatthemanmightmakenoresistance，asifhedidIshouldbeobligedtofellhimtotheearth，andIdeterminedtodoso。
Thedooropened；andthepoormanassoonashesawmeseemedturnedtoastone。Withoutaninstant’sdelayandindeadsilence，Imadehastetodescendthestairs，themonkfollowingme。Avoidingtheappearanceofafugitive，butwalkingfast，Iwentbythegiants’