G I L B L A S. 73
him : but if you want to know how he lives in his own family, I will go and call Gafpard his’prentice, whom you may interrogate : be tonics here fome- times to make merry with his friends ; and fuch a tongue! he will difcover the whole life and conver- fation of his malter, and I warrant it, find employment enough for your fecrctary.”
“ I like your franknefs, (laid Ambrofe) and you fhcw your zcal for the holy office, by informing me of a man acquainted with the morals of Simon. I will report you to the inquifition. Make hafte, then, (continued he) and bring hither that fame Gafpard, whom you mention. But do things difcreetlv, that his mailer may have no fufpicion of what pafics.” The publican acquitted himfelf of his commiffion with great fccrecy and diligence, and brought along with him the merchant’s ’prentice, who was juft fuch a verv talkative young fellow as we wanted. “ Welcome, child, (faid Lamela to him) you fee, in me, an inquifitor, nominated by the holy office, to take informations againft Samuel Simon, who is accufcd of Judaifm. Yotj live with him, and, of confequencc, are witr.cfs to the greateft part of his behaviour. I believe it is unneceffary to adverrife you of the obligation you are under to declare all that you know of him, when I order you to do Co, in the name of the holy inquifition.” “ Signior Licentiate, (replied the young man) I am very ready to fatisfy you on that head, without being commanded in the name of the holy office. 1 f my mailer was to take me for his text,
I am perfuaded that he would not fpareme; I will therefore deal as plainly with him, and tell you, in the fir ft: place, that he is a dole hunks, whofe true fentiments it is impoflible to difcover: one who af- fcfls all the exteriors of a holy man, but has not one fcruple of virtue at bottom. He goes every evening to the houfe of a iittle Abigail.” “ I am glad to hear that, (faid Ambrofe, interrupting him) and I fee, by what you fay, that he is a man of bad morals: but, 19 D anfwe