"If you think," was his greeting, as he shook Casanova's hand, "to break
through the roof and find a way down from the leads, I don't see how you
are to succeed without wings. I have not the courage to accompany you,"
he added, "I shall remain and pray for you."

Attempting no persuasions where they must have been idle, Casanova
passed out of the cell again, and approaching as nearly as possible to
the edge of the attic, he sat down where he could touch the roof as
it sloped immediately above his head. With his spontoon he tested the
timbers, and found them so decayed that they almost crumbled at the
touch. Assured thereby that the cutting of a hole would be an easy
matter, he at once returned to his cell, and there he spent the ensuing
four hours in preparing ropes. He cut up sheets, blankets, coverlets,
and the very cover of his mattress, knotting the strips together with
the utmost care. In the end he found himself equipped with some two
hundred yards of rope, which should be ample for any purpose.

Having made a bundle of the fine taffeta suit in which he had been
arrested, his gay cloak of floss silk, some stockings, shirts, and
handkerchiefs, he and Balbi passed up to the other cell, compelling
Soradici to go with them. Leaving the monk to make a parcel of his
belongings, Casanova went to tackle the roof. By dusk he had made a hole
twice as large as was necessary, and had laid bare the lead sheeting
with which the roof was covered. Unable, single-handed, to raise one of
the sheets, he called Balbi to his aid, and between them, assisted by
the spontoon, which Casanova inserted between the edge of the sheet and
the gutter, they at last succeeded in tearing away the rivets. Then by
putting their shoulders to the lead they bent it upwards until there was
room to emerge, and a view of the sky flooded by the vivid light of the
crescent moon.

Not daring in that light to venture upon the roof, where they would be
seen, they must wait with what patience they could until midnight, when
the moon would have set. So they returned to the cell where they had
left Soradici with Count Asquino.

From Balbi, Casanova had learnt that Asquino, though well supplied with
money, was of an avaricious nature. Nevertheless, since money would be
necessary, Casanova asked the Count for the loan of thirty gold sequins.
Asquino answered him gently that, in the first place, they would not
need money to escape; that, in the second, he had