undertaking any clandestine correspondence? Is it not my absolute
duty to decline it?



CHAPTER XXXV.



I was agitated the whole evening; I never closed my eyes that night,
and amidst so many conflicting doubts, I knew not on what to
resolve.

I sprung from my bed before dawn, I mounted upon the window-place,
and offered up my prayers. In trying circumstances it is necessary
to appeal with confidence to God, to heed his inspirations, and to
adhere to them.

This I did, and after long prayer, I went down, shook off the gnats,
took the bitten gloves in my hands, and came to the determination to
explain my apprehensions to Tremerello and warn him of the great
danger to which he himself was exposed by bearing letters; to
renounce the plan if he wavered, and to accept it if its terrors did
not deter him. I walked about till I heard the words of the song:-
Segnai mi gera un gato, E ti me carezzevi. It was Tremerello
bringing me my coffee. I acquainted him with my scruples and spared
nothing to excite his fears. I found him staunch in his desire to
SERVE, as he said, TWO SUCH COMPLETE GENTLEMEN. This was strangely
at variance with the sheep's face he wore, and the name we had just
given him. {15} Well, I was as firm on my part.