bed in the best inn. This gentleman, as I knew very well from the first,
is acting for a wager. Only your astuteness has prevented him from
winning it. He has failed, but not by much; it is an honourable defeat.
He very willingly bestows upon you two ducats for the beneficent
purposes of the hospital--those very two, in fact, which the reverend
frate behind him has covered with his foot. With the others he will
return to his noble parents, being furnished with a certificate from
your reverence to the effect that he has failed in his endeavour."

The clerk, who had by this time extracted the two pieces from beneath
the foot of the Capuchin (who loudly denied that they were there), was
now whispering with Brother Hyacinth. After a short time he drew me
apart and told me that but for him I should certainly be sent to prison.
The brother-in-charge, he said, believed me to be a highway thief--or
professed that he did--against all reason; for said the clerk, "As I
told his reverence, if your honour had been a thief it is very unlikely
that we should have had the pleasure of your company at the hospital.
His reverence has made difficulties--it has been hard to convince him,
though your honour's generosity to the hospital has not been without
effect. I flatter myself that my arguments have been useful. Any further
service I can do your honour, I shall very thankfully undertake."

I expressed myself obliged to him, and added that though it might be
very true that I deserved prison, I had other acts of penitence in view
which could only be properly performed in Tuscany. I said, "You would be
justified--if you knew the whole of my history--in declining what I
nevertheless urge upon your benevolence--this crown-piece namely---" He
assured me that no crime of mine, however unnatural, could cause him a
momentary scruple, took the coin, spat upon it, pocketed it, and said
that he was my servant and orator to the end of time. At this moment the