THE conversations of which I speak, sometimes with Oroboni, and sometimes
with Schiller, occupied but a small portion of the twenty-four hours
daily upon my hands. It was not always, moreover, that I could converse
with Oroboni. How was I to pass the solitary hours? I was accustomed to
rise at dawn, and mounting upon the top of my table, I grasped the bars
of my window, and there said my prayers. The Count was already at his
window, or speedily followed my example. We saluted each other, and
continued for a time in secret prayer. Horrible as our dungeons were,
they made us more truly sensible of the beauty of the world without, and
the landscape that spread around us. The sky, the plains, the far off
noise and motions of animals in the valley, the voices of the village
maidens, the laugh, the song, had a charm for us it is difficult to
express, and made us more dearly sensible of the presence of him who is
so magnificent in his goodness, and of whom we ever stand in so much
need.
The morning visit of the guards was devoted to an examination of my
dungeon, to see that all was in order. They felt at my chain, link by
link, to be sure that no conspiracy was at work, or rather in obedience
to the laws of discipline which bound them. If it were the day for the
doctor’s visit, Schiller was accustomed to ask us if we wished to see
him, and to make a note to that effect.
The search being over, Schiller made his appearance, accompanied by
Kunda, whose care it was to clean our rooms. Shortly after he brought
our breakfast—a little pot of hogwash, and three small slices of coarse
bread. The bread I was able to eat, but could not contrive to drink the
swill.
It was next my business to apply to study. Maroncelli had brought a
number of books from Italy, as well as some other of our
fellow-prisoners—some more, and some less, but altogether they formed a
pretty good library. This, too, we hoped to enlarge by some purchases;
but awaited an answer from the Emperor, as to whether we might be
permitted to read them and buy others. Meantime the governor gave us
permission, _provisionally_, to have each two books at a time, and to
exchange them when we pleased. About nine came the superintendent, and
if the doctor had been summoned, he accompanied him.
I was allowed another interval for study between this and the dinner hour
at eleven. We had then no further visits till sunset, and I returned to
my studies. Schiller and Kunda then appeared with a change of water, and
a moment afterwards, the superintendent with the guards to make their
evening inspection, never forgetting my chain. Either before or after
dinner, as best pleased the guards, we were permitted in turn to take our
hour’s walk. The evening search being over, Oroboni and I began our
conversation,—always more extended than at any other hour. The other
periods were, as related in the morning, or directly after dinner—but our
words were then generally very brief. At times the sentinels were so
kind as to say to us: “A little lower key, gentlemen, or otherwise the
punishment will fall upon us.” Not unfrequently they would pretend not
to see us, and if the sergeant appeared, begged us to stop till he were
past, when they told us we might talk again—“But as low as you possibly
can, gentlemen, if you please!”
Nay, it happened that they would quietly accost us themselves; answer our
questions, and give us some information respecting Italy.
Touching upon some topics, they entreated of us to be silent, refusing to
give any answer. We were naturally doubtful whether these voluntary
conversations, on their part, were really sincere, or the result of an
artful attempt to pry into our secret opinions.
I am, however, inclined to think that they meant it all in good part, and
spoke to us in perfect kindness and frankness of heart.