circumstances, excite to the highest degree the senses of a man.  I lay down near her in my clothes, and woke her at day-break.  Her strength was somewhat restored, she dressed herself alone, and I left my room, telling her to keep quiet until my return.  I intended to proceed to her father’s house, and to solicit her pardon, but, having perceived some suspicious-looking men loitering about the palace, I thought it wise to alter my mind, and went to a coffeehouse.

I soon ascertained that a spy was watching my movements at a distance; but I did not appear to notice him, and having taken some chocolate and stored a few biscuits in my pocket, I returned towards the palace, apparently without any anxiety or hurry, always followed by the same individual.  I judged that the bargello, having failed in his project, was now reduced to guesswork, and I was strengthened in that view of the case when the gate-keeper of the palace told me, without my asking any question, as I came in, that an arrest had been attempted during the night, and had not succeeded.  While he was speaking, one of the auditors of the Vicar-General called to enquire when he could see the Abby Gama.  I saw that no time was to be lost, and went up to my room to decide upon what was to be done.

I began by making the poor girl eat a couple of biscuits soaked in some Canary wine, and I took her afterwards to the top story of the palace, where, leaving her in a not very decent closet which was not used by anyone, I told her to wait for me.

My servant came soon after, and I ordered him to lock the door of my room as soon as he finished cleaning it, and to bring me the key at the Abbe Gama’s apartment, where I was going.  I found Gama in conversation with the auditor sent by the Vicar-General.  As soon as he had dismissed him, he came to me, and ordered his servant to serve the chocolate.  When we were left alone he gave me an account of his interview with the auditor, who had come to entreat his eminence to give orders to turn out of his palace a person who was supposed to have taken refuge in it about midnight.  “We must wait,” said the abbe, “until the cardinal is visible, but I am quite certain that, if anyone has taken refuge here unknown to him, his eminence will compel that person to leave the palace.”  We then spoke of the weather and other trifles until my servant brought my key.  Judging that I had at least an hour to spare, I bethought myself of a plan which alone could save Barbara from shame and misery.

Feeling certain that I was unobserved, I went up to my poor prisoner and made her write the following words in French: 

“I am an honest girl, monsignor, though I am disguised in the dress of an abbe.  I entreat your eminence to allow me to give my name only to you and in person.  I hope that, prompted by the great goodness of your soul, your eminence will save me from dishonour.”  I gave her the necessary instructions, as to sending the note to the cardinal, assuring her that he would have her brought to him as soon as he read it.