deliverance; I felt my spirits revived, a greater flow of ideas, and
greater satisfaction with myself. Such an incident as this has a
charm for utter solitude, of which you can form no idea without
experiencing it. A poor dumb boy had before supplied me with this
real enjoyment, and I now derived it from a distant view of a man of
distinguished merit.

Perhaps some one of the jailers had informed him where I was. One
morning, on opening his window, he waved his handkerchief in token
of salutation, and I replied in the same manner. I need not
describe the pleasure I felt; it appeared as if we were no longer
separated; and we discoursed in the silent intercourse of the
spirit, which, when every other medium is cut off, in the least
look, gesture, or signal of any kind, can make itself comprehended
and felt.

It was with no small pleasure I anticipated a continuation of this
friendly communication. Day after day, however, went on, and I was
never more gratified by the appearance of the same favourite
signals. Yet I frequently saw my friend at his window; I waved my
handkerchief, but in vain; he answered it no more. I was now
informed by our jailers, that Gioja had been strictly prohibited
from exciting my notice, or replying to it in any manner.
Notwithstanding, he still continued to look at me, and I at him, and
in this way, we conversed upon a great variety of subjects, which
helped to keep us alive.



CHAPTER XI.