human
You must excuse ceremony, Senhor Conde, he began;
gpt
Indeed I am, senhor, answered Luis;
human
Very naturally. Most prisoners think the same; but do not despair; you will, in the course of time, get perfectly accustomed to it. I have heard of people living twenty years in prison very happily, so that, at last, when they were allowed to quit it, they preferred remaining where they were.
gpt
I trust that will not be my case,
human
That depends on circumstances, said the Governor.
gpt
I might, indeed, point out a way by which you might instantly gain your freedom.
human
Pray then inform me what it is, for I would do much to be set at liberty,
gpt
I am glad, at length, to hear you talk so reasonably, said the Governor.
human
I need not tell you an execrable conspiracy has been discovered against the life of his Majesty, in which several known friends of yours are implicated; now, if you will give information on the subject to the Minister, he will not only overlook any share you have taken in it, but will reward you in any way you may wish.
gpt
As I have entered into no conspiracy against his Majesty, it is impossible that I should give information, which, in fact, I do not possess, answered Luis;
human
All prisoners speak much in the same strain, my dear sir; but, when once at liberty, they are very apt to forget their former promises, returned the Governor.
gpt
Though you may, for many reasons, not like to give any information direct to the Minister, if you will confide it to my ear, you may depend on my making a favourable report of your case to him; if not--I speak as a sincere friend--I fear that you will be deprived for ever of your liberty, if a worse fate does not await you.
human
I must prepare, then, to meet my fate to the best of my power, for information of any sort I am unable to give,
gpt
That is the answer many gentlemen similarly situated make at first, observed the Governor, smiling;
human
I cannot doubt, senhor, your wisdom and experience; but I do the efficacy of the measure you propose for learning the truth. Some men will endure the most excruciating tortures rather than reveal what they have vowed to keep secret; and others, again, who are unable to bear pain, will, in the hopes of avoiding further suffering, even invent a story, and accuse others falsely to save themselves.
gpt
Silence! silence! Senhor Conde, this is blasphemy and treason you are talking, interrupted the Governor.
human
What! dare to doubt the efficacy of the rack and the thumb-screw? Horrible sacrilege! How could a good wholesome despotism exist without them, I should like to know? Take care,--such expressions are strongly confirmatory of your own guilt. Beware!