human
Ah! my dear Count, you see I have not delayed long in fulfilling my promise,
gpt
I saw your young friend, and offered him such consolation as was in my power, and now I have brought you a fresh bottle of wine, to keep up your spirits. I offered him a little, but he could scarcely drink a drop. I fear he is going, poor youth.
human
I much fear so too, answered Luis.
gpt
But tell me, have you found the letter to his father, you spoke of? It has been so wonderfully preserved, that I fain would think it of importance.
human
I have it here. Is not this it? answered the Friar, producing a much soiled packet.
gpt
Read the superscription, for my eyes are dim, and cannot well decipher it.
human
The same. Now will you undertake to forward this to Senhor Goncalo Christovao,
gpt
It will not have far to go, then, for he is a prisoner within these walls,
human
Merciful Heaven! exclaimed Luis.
gpt
Then I may prove to him that I am not the murderer of his son. Does he know that the poor youth is here?
human
I have not myself spoken to him, though it is almost impossible he should discover it,
gpt
Then, in pity to all, contrive to let him see his dying son, and I, too, long to converse with him. It is the greatest favour you can afford me, next to one which I scarce dare hope for, to aid me in my escape.
human
Your last wish is impossible; the first I will endeavour to accomplish. You know not all the precautions taken to prevent escape. Were your life in danger, it might, perhaps, be done at the risk of both our lives, or of perpetual imprisonment in some loathsome dungeon, to which, in comparison, this is a palace.
gpt
For the purpose I have in view, I would risk death, torments, and imprisonment! exclaimed Luis, vehemently.
human
Unless I succeed, all I value in life is worthless. Within a few days from hence, Donna Clara de Christovao will be compelled to assume the veil, if I do not contrive to rescue her from the convent at Oporto, where she is confined. I vowed to her to attempt it, and if she hears not of me, she will deem me faithless, and yield without a struggle to her fate.
gpt
You might as well attempt to rescue the lamb from the talons of the eagle, as to carry off a fair girl from the clutches of those who have her in their power, he answered.
human
In any possible plan I would, if in my power, aid you gladly. But consider a moment. If you could escape from hence, which is next to impossible, you manage to reach Oporto, though the chances are, that you are recaptured before you arrive there;--you demand the young lady;--you are refused even an interview. You then contrive to let her know you are in the neighbourhood;--she sends you word she is shut up, and cannot get out. Or suppose you have surmounted all difficulties, and you have managed to carry her off; whither would you fly? In each direction the Minister has his spies, who would soon restore you to your present abode, if not to a worse, and the lady to her convent. No, my dear Count, be advised by me, do not attempt an impossibility. You have but one course to pursue; practise your patience: when a man is at the bottom of a well, he cannot go lower.
gpt
No, but he may be drowned, though, when the water flows in,
human
Not if he knows how to swim, answered the Friar;
gpt
Alas! I fear your observations are too correct, and I must submit to my fate, said Luis.
human
Can you, however, contrive to let me see Goncalo Christovao?
gpt
There will be no great difficulty, for since the execution, in some parts of the prison, the captives are allowed to communicate with each other.
human
Of what do you speak? inquired Luis; and the Friar recounted to him the dreadful tragedy which had taken place.
gpt
Alas! he exclaimed,