admit a greater difficulty, an entrance by
other means, of which he was convinced there
existed none. It was not intended, then, that
he should be left to perish from hunger.
But the secret and mysterious mode of
supplying him with food, seemed to indicate he
was to have no opportunity of communicating
with a human being.
The other circumstance which had attracted
his notice, was the disappearance, as he believed,
of one of the seven grated windows
that ran along the top of his prison. He felt
confident that he had observed and counted
them; for he was rather surprised at their
number, and there was something peculiar in
their form, as well as in the manner of their
arrangement, at unequal distances. It was so
much easier, however, to suppose he was mistaken
than that a portion of the solid iron,
which formed the walls, could have escaped
from its position, that he soon dismissed the
thought from his mind.
Vivenzio partook of the food that was before
him, without apprehension. It might
be poisoned; but if it were, he knew he could
not escape death, should such be the design
of Tolfi; and the quickest death would be the
speediest release.
The day passed wearily and gloomily;
though not without a faint hope that, by keeping
watch at night, he might observe when
the person came again to bring him food,
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