As I passed along, many of the people I met bowed and saluted me, as they are accustomed to treat their priests. I in return muttered a few words such as are used by the friars on similar occasions. I was afraid of walking fast, as my inclination prompted, lest I should betray myself. The streets were already crowded with people in their holiday attire, prepared to assemble at the festival, though their looks did not wear a joyful aspect. Fear and doubt rather were visible on every countenance. The name alone of the Duke and his murderous musketeers kept them in awe. They had no leader in whom they could confide, even should they have ventured to resist the tyrannical treatment to which they were subjected. They knew themselves to be slaves; but at the same time they were slaves panting to be free, and only waiting an opportunity for striking a blow for liberty. I could distinguish, as I walked along, the Protestants from the Romanists, by their looks, and the way in which they regarded me. The Protestants cast a glance of defiance as they passed, and made no sign of respect. The Romanists, on the contrary, wore generally a look of stolid indifference, or made an abject bow.
Arrived at the prison door, I mustered up all my courage. I required it to withstand the scrutiny of the jailer when I presented my pass.
“You are the monk who has undertaken the conversion of the heretic minister?” he observed. “It is well, though I should think half a dozen will be required before he is brought to the truth. They are fearfully tough subjects to convince. I have had five or six under my hands, and one and all preferred going to the stake to recanting.”
“Perhaps two of us may work the desired change,” I answered; “my brother, Father Peter, and I hope to get the captive free from his thraldom; and if we don’t succeed to-day, we must try again.”
“When is Father Peter coming, then?” said the jailer.
“What! has he not already arrived?” I inquired; “surely, I hoped that he had been with the prisoner some time already.”
“If so, he must have come before I was on guard,” answered the jailer.
“Very likely,” I replied; “he is always zealous, and would rather be before than after his time. And was he not here yesterday?”
“Not that I am aware of,” answered the jailer.
“I see how it is!” I exclaimed; “they wish to throw all the work upon me. However, I must waste no longer time. Let a warder show me to the prisoner, for unless he is brought to the truth very soon, it seems probable that he will be sent to the stake.”