The inconvenience I experienced from the chain upon my legs, which prevented me from sleeping, destroyed my health. Schiller wished me to petition, declaring that it was the duty of the physician to order it to be taken off. For some time I refused to listen to him, I then yielded, and informed the doctor that, in order to obtain a little sleep, I should be thankful to have the chain removed, if only for a few days. He answered that my fever was not yet so bad as to require it; and that it was necessary I should become accustomed to the chain. I felt indignant at this reply, and more so at myself for having asked the favour. “See what I have got by following your advice,” said I to Schiller; and I said it in a very sharp tone, not a little offensive to the old man.

“You are vexed,” he exclaimed, “because you met with a denial; and I am as much so with your arrogance! Could I help it?” He then began a long sermon. “The proud value themselves mightily in never exposing themselves to a refusal, in never accepting an offer, in being ashamed at a thousand little matters. Alle eselen, asses as they all are. Vain grandeur, want of true dignity, which consists in being ashamed only of bad actions!” He went off, and made the door ring with a tremendous noise.

I was dismayed; yet his rough sincerity scarcely displeased me. Had he not spoken the truth? to how many weaknesses had I not given the name of dignity! the result of nothing but pride.

At the dinner hour Schiller left my fare to the convict Kunda, who brought me some water, while Schiller stood outside. I called him. “I have no time,” he replied, very drily.

I rose, and going to him, said, “If you wish my dinner to agree with me, pray don’t look so horribly sour; it is worse than vinegar.”

“And how ought I to look?” he asked, rather more appeased.

“Cheerful, and like a friend,” was my reply.

“Let us be merry, then! Viva l’allegria!” cried the old man. “And if it will make your dinner agree with you, I will dance you a hornpipe into the bargain.” And, assuming a broad grin, he set to work with his long, lean, spindle shanks, which he worked about like two huge stilts, till I thought I should have died with laughing. I laughed and almost cried at the same time.