Page:The Italian - Radcliffe, volume 1 (1797).djvu/7

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if the most atrocious cri­minal may thus find shelter from them? But how does he contrive to exist here! He is, at least, in dan­ger of being starved?"

"Pardon me," replied the friar; "there are al­ways people willing to assist those, who cannot assist themselves; and as the criminal may not leave the church in search of food, they bring it to him here."

"Is this possible?" said the Englishman, turn­ing to his Italian friend.

"Why, the poor wretch must not starve," repli­ed the friend; "which he inevitably would do, if food were not brought to him! But have you never, since your arrival in Italy, happened to see a person in the situation of this man? It is by no means an uncommon one."

"Never!" answered the Englishman, "and I can scarcely credit what I see now!"

"Why,

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