“Which do you think the more grievous misfortune for a Christian man; to hear a blasphemous word uttered, or to abandon a fellow-creature in extremity?” The Governor stood erect and stiff, with his official face, like a face of wood. He was deeply offended at Montanelli's treatment of him, and showed it by unusual ceremoniousness. “At what time does Your Eminence wish to visit the prisoner?” he asked. “I will go to him at once.” “As Your Eminence pleases. If you will kindly wait a few moments, I will send someone to prepare him.” The Governor had come down from his official pedestal in a great hurry. He did not want Montanelli to see the straps. “Thank you; I would rather see him as he is, without preparation. I will go straight up to the fortress. Good-evening, colonel; you may expect my answer to-morrow morning.” CHAPTER VI. HEARING the cell-door unlocked, the Gadfly turned away his eyes with languid indifference. He supposed that it was only the Governor, coming to worry him with another interrogation. Several soldiers mounted the narrow stair, their carbines clanking against the wall; then a deferential voice said: “It is rather steep here, Your Eminence.” He started convulsively, and then shrank down, catching his breath under the stinging pressure of the straps. Montanelli came in with the sergeant and three guards. “If Your Eminence will kindly wait a moment,” the sergeant began nervously, “one of my men will bring a chair. He has just gone to fetch it. Your Eminence will excuse us--if we had been expecting you, we should have been prepared.” “There is no need for any preparation. Will you kindly leave us alone, sergeant; and wait at the foot of the stairs with your men?” “Yes, Your Eminence. Here is the chair; shall I put it beside him?” The Gadfly was lying with closed eyes; but he felt that Montanelli was looking at him. “I think he is asleep, Your Eminence,” the sergeant was beginning, but the Gadfly opened his eyes. “No,” he said. As the soldiers were leaving the cell they were stopped by a sudden exclamation from Montanelli; and, turning back, saw that he was bending down to examine the straps. “Who has been doing this?” he asked. The sergeant fumbled with his cap. “It was by the Governor's express orders, Your Eminence.” “I had no idea of this, Signor Rivarez,” Montanelli said in a voice of great distress. “I told Your Eminence,” the Gadfly answered, with his hard smile, “that I n-n-never expected to be patted on the head.” “Sergeant, how long has this been going on?” “Since he tried to escape, Your Eminence.” “That is, nearly a week? Bring a knife and cut these off at once.” “May it please Your Eminence, the doctor wanted to take them off, but Colonel Ferrari wouldn't allow it.”