The other
inquisitor, who was the Signer Soranzo, had drawn near the lamp, anxious
to read the lineaments of one so notorious, and was gazing at his
striking countenance. Touched by the pathos of his voice, and agreeably
disappointed in the lineaments he studied, he took upon himself the
power to grant the request.
"Humor his wish," he said to the halberdiers; "but have him in
readiness to reappear."
Jacopo looked his gratitude, but fearful that the others might still
interfere to prevent his wish, he hurried from the room.
The march of the little procession, which proceeded from the chamber of
the inquisition to the summer cells of its victims, was sadly
characteristic of the place and the government.
It went through gloomy and secret corridors, that were hid from the
vulgar eye, while thin partitions only separated them from the
apartments of the Doge, which, like the specious aspect of the state,
concealed the nakedness and misery within, by their gorgeousness and
splendor! On reaching the attic, Jacopo stopped, and turned to his
conductors.
"If you are beings of God's forming," he said, "take off these clanking
chains, though it be but for a moment."
The keepers regarded each other in surprise, neither offering to do the
charitable office.
"I go to visit, probably for the last time," continued the prisoner, "a
bed-ridden--I may say--a dying father, who knows nothing of my
situation,--will ye that he should see me thus?"
The appeal which was made, more with the voice and manner, than in the
words, had its effect.
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