United States or Rwanda ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Casanova the arch-humbug who had worked magic to delude the credulous determined there and then to work a miracle for Soradici.
Then Laurent entered, bringing another prisoner, an ugly, ill-dressed little man of fifty, in a black wig, who looked like what he was, a spy of the Inquisition. Casanova soon learned the history of Soradici for this was the spy's name and when his new companion was asleep he wrote to Balbi the account of what had happened.
"And I, Most Holy Virgin, swear by the bowels of your Divine Son that if I see Soradici move in the least or look towards Lawrence, I will throw myself straightway upon him and strangle him without mercy, to your honour and glory." I counted on my threat having at least as much effect upon him as his oath.
For Casanova foretold the very hour at which the angel would come to break into the prison, and at that hour precisely Casanova having warned Balbi the noise made by the angel overhead flung Soradici into an ecstasy of terror. But when, at the end of four hours, the angel desisted from his labours, Soradici was beset by doubts.
Promptly at noon fell heavy blows overhead, and then, in a cloud of plaster and broken laths, the heavenly messenger descended clumsily into Casanova's arms. Soradici found this tall, gaunt, bearded figure, clad in a dirty shirt and a pair of leather breeches, of a singularly unangelic appearance; indeed, he looked far more like a devil.
The bundle containing Balbi's clothes, and another made up of half the rope, he slung from the monk's neck, thereafter doing the same in his own case. Then, in their shirt-sleeves, their hats on their heads, the pair of them started on their perilous journey, leaving Count Asquino and Soradici to pray for them.
The spy, too cowardly to risk his life in so daring a venture, and beginning to see that he had been imposed upon, begged Casanova on his knees to leave him behind, praying for the fugitives and this Casanova was thankful to do, for Soradici could only have encumbered him.
"And I, Most Holy Virgin, swear by the bowels of your Divine Son that if I see Soradici move in the least or look towards Lawrence, I will throw myself straightway upon him and strangle him without mercy, to your honour and glory." I counted on my threat having at least as much effect upon him as his oath.
For the present, evidently the work must be given up, no confidence whatever could be placed in Soradici. Yet soon Casanova thought of a plan of making use even of this traitor. First he ordered Laurent to buy him an image of the Virgin Mary, holy water, and a crucifix.
But though my mind was full of my revenge unworthy of a Christian at break of day the image of the Blessed Virgin that you see moved, opened her lips, and said: "Soradici is under my protection: I would have you pardon him.
Word Of The Day