Pagina 579 van 1118

He was tall in stature; and from the baldness of his head, and

the deep furrows of his countenance, appeared to be much older

than sixty, which was his real age; his countenance and

movements, the firmness of his features, and the fire which

sparkled from his eyes, indicated a vigour of body as well as of

mind which would have been remarkable even in a young man.

Don Roderick told him he had come for advice and assistance;

that, having embarked in a difficult enterprise, from which his

honour did not suffer him to withdraw, he had remembered the

promises of one who never promised in vain; and he then related

his abominable intrigue. The Unknown, who had already heard

something of it, listened with much attention to the recital,

both because he naturally loved such relations, and because Friar

Christopher, that avowed enemy of tyrants, was concerned in it.

Don Roderick spoke of the difficulty of the undertaking, the

distance of the place, a monastery, the signora,-but the Unknown,

as if prompted by the demon in his heart, interrupted him,

saying, that he took the charge of the affair on himself. He

wrote down the name of the poor Lucy, and dismissed Don Roderick,

saying, "In a little while you will receive news from me."