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sign, forgive me the expression, that you are not a scoundrel. Your
scoundrels (for I am an old hand at the trade, and my observations
are worth something) are always more enraged the second day after
their arrest than the first. Do you want some snuff?"
"I do not take it, but will not refuse your offer. If I have not a
gorgon-face this morning, it must surely be a proof of my utter
insensibility, or easy belief of soon regaining my freedom."
"I should doubt that, even though you were not in durance for state
matters. At this time of day they are not so easily got over as you
might think; you are not so raw as to imagine such a thing. Pardon
me, but you will know more by and by."
"Tell me, how come you to have so pleasant a look, living only, as
you do, among the unfortunate?"
"Why, sir, you will attribute it to indifference to others'
sufferings; of a truth, I know not how it is; yet, I assure you, it
often gives me pain to see the prisoners weep. Truly, I sometimes
pretend to be merry to bring a smile upon their faces."
"A thought has just struck me, my friend, which I never had before;
it is, that a jailer may be made of very congenial clay."
"Well, the trade has nothing to do with that, sir. Beyond that huge
vault you see there, without the court-yard, is another court, and
other prisons, all prepared for women. They are, sir, women of a
certain class; yet are there some angels among them, as to a good
heart. And if you were in my place, sir--"
"I?" and I laughed out heartily.
Tirola was quite disconcerted, and said no more. Perhaps he meant
to imply that had I been a secondino, it would have been difficult
not to become attached to some one or other of these unfortunates.
He now inquired what I wished to take for breakfast, left me, and
soon returned with my coffee. I looked hard at him, with a sort of
malicious smile, as much as to say, "Would you carry me a bit of a
note to an unhappy friend--to my friend Piero?" {1} He understood
it, and answered with another: "No sir; and if you do not take heed
how you ask any of my comrades, they will betray you."
Whether or not we understood each other, it is certain I was ten
times upon the point of asking him for a sheet of paper, &c.; but
there was a something in his eye which seemed to warn me not to
confide in any one about me, and still less to others than himself.
CHAPTER V.
Had Tirola, with his expression of good-nature, possessed a less
roguish look, had there been something a little more dignified in
his aspect, I should have tried to make him my ambassador; for
perhaps a brief communication, if in time, might prevent my friend
committing some fatal error, perhaps save him, poor fellow; besides
several others, including myself: and too much was already known.
Patience! it was fated to be thus.
I was here recalled to be examined anew.
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