I would in that case become rich and powerful; her dowry would be sufficient to save me from poverty and a humiliating discovery.

Alas! why do the people accuse the magistrates of want of zeal?
Things more surprising than the disappearance of Geronimo have happened lately without any disturbance among the populace.

It was the public feeling that forced the bailiff to make extraordinary efforts to discover what had become of him; it will be the cause of my destruction! Can there be a mysterious impulse to this unwonted excitement of the multitude?
Vainly then would I struggle to escape! Would it not be God himself pursuing me ?" The recurrence of this thought struck terror to the soul of Simon Turchi, and he buried his head in his hands.

Suddenly he started up, and although his lips twitched convulsively, he said, in a firm, strong voice: "Ah! ah! fatality is a spur which inspires the most cowardly with coinage.
Avaunt, foolish fears! I must struggle on to the end.

The bailiff seeks a corpse; he pledges his honor to discover one.