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。