THE sickness of the stomach which I had so long laboured under now
ceased, the pains of the head also left me, and I felt an extraordinary
appetite. My digestion was good, and I gained strength. Wonderful
providence! that deprived me of my health to humble my mind, and again
restored it when the moment was at hand that I should require it all,
that I might not sink under the weight of my sentence.
On the 24th of November, one of our companions, Dr. Foresti, was taken
from the _Piombi_, and transported no one knew whither. The jailer, his
wife, and the assistants, were alike alarmed, and not one of them
ventured to throw the least light upon this mysterious affair.
“And why should you persist,” said Tremerello, “in wishing to know, when
nothing good is to be heard? I have told you too much—too much already.”
“Then what is the use of trying to hide it? I know it too well. He is
condemned to death.”
“Who? . . . he . . . Doctor Foresti?”
Tremerello hesitated, but the love of gossip was not the least of his
virtues.
“Don’t say, then,” he resumed, “that I am a babbler; I never wished to
say a word about these matters; so, remember, it is you who compel me.”
“Yes, yes, I do compel you; but courage! tell me every thing you know
respecting the poor Doctor?”
“Ah, Sir! they have made him cross the Bridge of Sighs! he lies in the
dungeons of the condemned; sentence of death has been announced to him
and two others.”
“And will it be executed? When? Oh, unhappy man! and what are the
others’ names?”
“I know no more. The sentences have not been published. It is reported
in Venice that they will be commuted. I trust in God they may, at least,
as regards the good Doctor. Do you know, I am as fond of that noble
fellow, pardon the expression, as if he were my own brother.”
He seemed moved, and walked away. Imagine the agitation I suffered
throughout the whole of that day, and indeed long after, as there were no
means of ascertaining anything further respecting the fate of these
unfortunate men.
A month elapsed, and at length the sentences connected with the first
trial were published. Nine were condemned to death, _graciously_
exchanged for hard imprisonment, some for twenty, and others for fifteen
years in the fortress of Spielberg, near the city of Brunn, in Moravia;
while those for ten years and under were to be sent to the fortress of
Lubiana.
Were we authorised to conclude, from this commutation of sentence in
regard to those first condemned, that the parties subject to the second
trial would likewise be spared? Was the indulgence to be confined only
to the former, on account of their having been arrested previous to the
publication of the edicts against secret societies; the full vengeance of
the law being reserved for subsequent offenders?
Well, I exclaimed, we shall not long be kept in suspense; I am at least
grateful to Heaven for being allowed time to prepare myself in a becoming
manner for the final scene.