a

man

recess, the mighty book of his science. and fury are abroad; but every living - Is it time? cried Berecynth.

creature has retreated into the inner.. “ Peace!" said the old man solemnly, most recess of its dwelling, in order to “ and disturb not the holy charm with escape the anguish of this terrible any useless mischievous babbling.” time." He read, at first softly, and then in

The old man raised his countenance a louder and more vehement voice, as from the ground, death-pale, and with he moved up and down, with measured an expression of unfathomable horsteps, within the circle. After a time, ror, cried aloud in a strange accenthe stopped and cried out, “ Go, and

• Silence! miserable slave! and dissee what sort of appearance the hea. turb not the work. Take heed that vens present.'

you lose not your senses. The most “ Thick darkness,” answered his appalling is yet to come. servant, returning, “is over the face With a loud voice, as if he would of the sky; the clouds are gathering, burst his chest, he again commenced and rain is beginning to fall.” “ The reading and praying. His breath heavens are propitious !" cried the old often failed ; and the violent exertions

we must succeed." He now he made, appeared as if they would knelt down, and, muttering impreca- kill him. Then suddenly was heard tions, frequently touched the floor with a confused noise of voices wrangling his forehead. His countenance was

with one another. They whispered flushed, and his eyes sparkled. He they raved - they laughed — they

— muttered the holy names which man blended together in song ; and with is forbid to speak; and after a while the whole was mixed up an intricate he again sent his servant out to ex- chiming of strange instruments. All amine the firmament. Mean-while, the utensils now became living, and the gathering storm began to rage

danced up and down the apartment. with all its force ; lightning and thun

From every wall in the house, strange der were slipt from their leashes, and

creatures of all kinds came pouring the house trembled to its foundations. forth — beasts and monsters, abor. « Hearken to the storm!” cried Bere. tions and living caricatures of the cynth, coming back in haste,-" Hell most abominable description - and has broken loose from below, and is

writhed and twisted themselves about in abroad with all his fires; and what figures of the most complicated variety. with the crashing thunderbolts that

'sc Master!” cried Berecynth, “ the are bursting upon us from above, the house will soon be too small to hold globe berself is almost shaken from

them. What is to be done with this her sphere. Cease your incantations,

interminable host of spectres ? Surely lest the very bands break which hold they must eat up one another. Alas! the solid universe together!"

woe's me! each one of them is ever 66 Fool! madman!” cried the ma- developing itself into ghastlier and gician—" Peace with that drivelling more frantic numbers. I shall lose chatter! Haste and throw wide open all

my senses amid their swarms, their the doors—the door of the house also.” yellings, and fifings—their bursts of

The dwarf departed to execute his laughter, and shrieks of passionate master's commands. The magician,

dreariment. Look! master, look! in the mean time, lighted the conse- the walls are dilating—the chambers crated tapers. With shuddering steps are stretching themselves away into he approached the great torch which vistas of infinity. We stand amid stood upon a lofty stand, and when it, immeasurable halls.

The ceilings too, had taken fire, then he prostrated are lifting themselves up into vaults himself to the ground, and offered up

of unfathomable height. And still louder and louder adjurations. His the phantoms are shooting forth on eyes streamed with fire; his limbs all sides, and ever keep multiplying trembled as if convulsively; and the

themselves with the growing space. cold sweat of anxiety burst forth from

What is to be done? Have you no every pore. With frantic gestures,

succour for us amid the trials of this and in dreadful terror, the dwarf came

dreadful hour?" bounding back from his errand, and Here Pietro raised himself up, dreadtook refuge within the circle.

" The
fully exhausted.

66 Look out once world is bursting into pieces !” cried

“ If I stir a step," said Berecynth said the dwarf, taking himself off with in perplexity, “I shall trample on the the key, and darting a malicious glance heads of these good people here. They behind him as he went. are writhing on all sides of me like Mean-while gentle strains were heard snakes, and laughing scornfully in my coming nearer and nearer. Pietro face. Are they spirits-real substan. went down into his entrance-hall, and tial goblins, or mere empty phantoms ? at the same moment there glided into I say, you devils, unless you get out it the pale corpse of Crescentia, dressof my way, I shall certainly tread on ed in her winding-sheet, and still holdthe green or blue snouts of some of ing the crucifix in her folded hands. you. Let every one look out for him. The magician placed himself before self!" So saying, he dashed into the her; she opened her eyes wide, and, midst of them.

trembling from head to foot, started All was now still, and Pietro stood up. back from him in horror, so that the He made a sign, and the whole spectre crown of flowers was shaken from her host vanished from the place. He head. In silence he parted her folded wiped the sweat from his forehead, hands; but in the left she still heid and drew his breath more freely. fast the cross. Taking her by the Here his servant returned, and said, right, he led her through the range of “ Master, every thing is now quiet his apartments; and she went with and gracious. At first, light phan- him--a rigid and unconscious form that toms went flying past me, and vanished regarded him not. in the dark sky; and then, when I At length they reached a remote had fixed my eyes on the Cathedral, a chamber, in which they halted. It was mighty peal arose, as if all the chords most sumptuously adorned with purple of a giant's harp had at once been and gold, silk and satin, and the light made shiver, while, at the stroke, even of broad day fell with faint and every street and house trembled. Then deadened rays through the heavy curthe great door of the cathedral flew tains. The sorcerer motioned his open ; sweet flutings arose upon the victim towards the couch, and the unair, and a soft serene light flooded the conscious being, filled so strangely interior of the church. A female with life, lifted and let fall her fair form came forth into the beams, pale, head, like a lily stirred by the wind, but radiant as an angel, and crowned as she sank down on the purple cowith a coronet of flowers. She step- verlet, breathing as if in agony. The ped out of the church door, and an old man poured a precious essence escort of gentle lights guided her steps from a golden flask into a small crysalong the streets through which she tal saucer, and held it to her lips, The had to pass.

With erect head and maiden swallowed the miraculous folded hands she glided on towards draught, opened her eyes once more, our dwelling. Is this she whom you and gazed upon him whom in life she

had regarded as her friend; she then * Take this golden key," answered turned from him with an expression of Pietro, " and open with it the inner- abhorrence, and sank into a deep most and most sumptuous ap

nent slumber. in my house. The purple couch is The magician now retired, locking spread, and the perfumes are burning the apartment. The whole house was Then betake yourself to rest. Make buried in profound repose. He beno further enquiries about what you took himself to his own chamber, have witnessed to-night. Be silent and there, amid his books and magical inobedient, as you value your life.” struments, to await the sunrise and the

“ I know my own place, I believe,” business of the day.

a

expect? "

CHAP. V.

THE SEARCH. When the unhappy youth Antonio the disconsolate father very anxious to was sufficiently rested, Podesta and a behold the maiden who so closely relarge troop of armed followers rode sembled his dead daughter. out with him on the following day, to • Is it possible," said the old man, search for the hut, and to capture the as he rode along, “that a dream I hateful hag and her banditti. The have often had should turn out to be account given by Antonio, had made really true ?"

The father was too eager to reach no satisfactory answer to their queries. the spot to carry on much conversa- Towards evening they came upon a spot tion with Antonio. They at length which had the appearance of having entered the wood, and the youth ex- been much disturbed ; ashes and rubbish pected to be able to recover the traces lay scattered around here and there of his late journey. But so terribly charred beams were visible among the had the events of that dreadful night ruins, and the neighbouring trees also perplexed and shaken his soul, that he bore the traces of fire. The youth was unable, with all his pains, to fix thought he recognised the place. Here, upon the path along which, during the thought he, surely stood the dwelling storm, he had been carried with the of the murderers ; here it was that madness of despair. They crossed the that strange apparition of Crescentia country in all directions; and wher- appeared to me. The company halted. ever a thicket or trees were to be seen, Far and wide there was not a house in Antonio spurred up to them, in hopes sight-not a human being to be seen. of detecting the robbers' den, or (if its They dispatched a servant to the inhabitants had taken themselves off, nearest farm, and, after a time, he as he thought extremely probable) of brought back with him an old man on at least discovering some traces that horseback. The old man said that, they had been there. At length, after about a year ago, a cottage on this they had spent the greater part of the spot had been set on fire by some solday in a fruitless quest, Podesta came diers; that the proprietor of the ground to the conclusion that the whole had had been living for the last ten years been a mere vision, fabricated by the at Rome, in expectation of some youth's brain, fevered by the bewil- priestly office; and that his steward derment of grief. “ The discovery," had gone to Ravenna to collect some exclaimed he, “would be too great outstanding debts. good-luck for me, for I was born to be Dispirited and weary, the travellers the most unfortunate of men!"

returned to the city. Podesta deterIt was now necessary that they mined to give up all his offices, to re.. should bait their horses at a village tire from business, and even to leave hard by. Its inhabitants had never Padua, where every thing reminded beard of their suspected neighbours, him of his misfortune. Antonio reand the corpse of the slain robber had solved to become a pupil of the renot been found any where in the coun- nowned Abano, and to try to forget try round about. After a time they his miseries in the studies of that again took the road, although Podesta famous school. He obtained lodgings now followed Antonio with very little in the house of that great man, who hopes of success. They questioned now for some time past had been his every peasant they met, but could get friend.

CHAP. VI.

BERECYNTH.
A short time after these events, the cause you know not the man.

Get old priest met the melancholy Anto- acquainted with him, cultivate his sonio, and thus accosted him" You ciety, and you will soon venerate him, also, then, have joined that unhappy and recant all your prejudices. school and its pernicious teacher, 6 Never!" cried the priest, with vewho will lead your soul to perdi- hemence. “ Young man," continued tion?"

he, “ let me warn you to be on your “What makes you so bitter against guard against him, and that hellish him, my pious friend ?” replied An- retainer of his; for, whatever doubts tonio. “ Why should not religion and there may be about his master, there science go hand in hand, as they cer- is no mistaking who he is.” tainly do in the case of my worthy “ The little Berecynth," answered teacher ? He is a man whom the Antonio, “is certainly an absurd and whole world honours, whom princes unprepossessing figure, and I often love and cherish, and whom our holy wonder that the noble Pietro can enfather himself is about to elevate to dure to have him so much about him high ecclesiastical dignity. Why as he has. But why should a hump. should you chafe against him whom back, and other grievous deformities, every one else loves? You do so be prejudice us against a poor fellow

creature, to whom nature has been so master-he, let me tell you, shall illiberal ?"

never be permitted to open his tooth “ Mighty fine words !-a very de- less gums in my presence, without my licate mode of expressing it!” cried bringing all my jaw to bear upon him; the priest scornfully. “Let me tell you, and let me add, that from a young young man, that such sentiments are student like yourself I can abide no marrow to the bones of these sor- contradiction ; for I had begun to cerers and liars. But look, here comes shave long before your father was out the scarecrow I cannot bear even to of his baby-clothes, and I was a boy at look upon him, much less could I en- school before your illustrious granddure to converse with him. Well and sire was breeched, therefore show rewisely has it been said, Cave quos spect where respect is due, and reDeus ipse notavit.”

member whose presence you are in." Berecynth, who had caught up these “ Do not be angry, my little man," last words, came skipping forwards. said Antonio—“I mean you well." “ Is your beauty, then, my good sir," • Mean what you please!” said said he, “ so transcendant as to entitle Berecynth. “My master is now preyou to pronounce such severe judg- late-do you know that?--and rector ments upon others? My master, who of the university ; and a new gold is a handsome, majestic man, enter- chain of office has just been sent to tains no such harsh, illiberal notions. him from Paris. You must come and What! you little, stunted, rickety, see him, for he is about to set out red-nosed, snivelling abortion --- you upon a journey, and wishes to conwry-mouthed, wrinkled old wretch, verse with you before he starts. A it is truly a good one to hear you word in your ear- you must be shyer preaching about my ugliness! Why, of priests' company if you would be a you miserable dwarf, your head is philosopher." hardly on a level with the pulpit So saying, the dwarf hirpled off, and cushion when you are holding forth Antonio turning to his friend, the there ; and you dare not cross the young Spaniard Alphonso, who had

; street when the wind blows, such spin- that moment joined him, said, “ I dles are your shanks.

never know, when conversing with gation cannot even see you when you that abortion, whether he is in jest or are gesticulating before the altar, and earnest, he appears to make such require all their Christian faith to be- scornful sport of himself and all other lieve that you are really present; and creatures.' yet this mannikin, this nonentity, is “ That," answered Alphonso, “ is talking big here, as if he were a per. by way of comforting and compenfect Goliath. Believe me, I could cut sating himself for his own ungainlias good a priest as you are, any day, out In his scornful imagination he of my own nose, to say nothing of the conceives all other people to be like hump I carry both in front and rear.” himself. But have you heard of the

The enraged priest had withdrawn new honours which have been bebefore the conclusion of this attack, stowed upon our great teacher ?” and Antonio was about to chide Bere- • The world,” returned Antonio, cynth for his petulant behaviour, “ recognises his lofty worth; and when the latter cried out, “ A truce since our holy father the Pope has with your moralizing I can stand now made him a prelate, that surely that at the hands of no man except ought to tie the tongues of all those my own master, and he beats the envious priests and monks who have world at morality, philosophy, and all never ceased traducing this excellent

, that sort of thing. But this weather and pious man. cock monk here, who goes creaking The friends parted, and Antonio round on the pivot of envy and malig hastened to take farewell of his nity, because he perceives that his teacher for some days. The dwarf authority and prosperity are declining received him at the door with a grin. before the influence of my glorious ning attempt to appear cordial.

The congre

ness.

CHAP. VII.

THE PURPLE CHAMBER. Twilight had now set in, and An- went in quest of his teacher. Finding tonio, after Berecynth had left him, him neither in the hall nor the library, he traversed many rooms, and at ner of his revered teacher; for it aplength came to an apartment in the peared to him as if Pietro were strugvery interior of the house, which he gling to keep down a storm of wrath, had never before been in. Here, be- and as if suppressed fury were burnside a glimmering lamp, sat Pietro, ing in his ferocious eyes. who was not a little surprised to be- On retreating into the antechamber, hold the young Florentine enter; he there found Berecynth engaged in while the latter, in his turn, paused in catching flies, and throwing them to astonishment over the skeletons and an ape. The two appeared to vie strange implements by which the old with each other which could make the man was surrounded. Pietro came most hideous faces. At this moment forward in some confusion : “ It was the master summoned his familiar with not here that I expected you,” said he, à voice of thunder, and the abortion “ I intended to have met you out of hobbled into his chamber. Antonio doors, or to have visited you in your heard high words ensue, and Pietro own apartment. I am about to set rating him in a towering passion. The out to meet the Pope's ambassador, in dwarf then rushed forth, weeping and order to receive at his hands, in all howling, with a stream of blood run. humility and thankfulness, the new ning down his nose. 66 Cannot he honours our holy father has been close his own doors, and be damned pleased to lavish upon me.” Then, to him!” bellowed he out, “ all-powerperceiving that Antonio still continued ful miscreant that he is. The master to gaze with astonishment upon the is stupid, and the servant must bear strange apparatus before him-- he con- the blame." Turning to Antonio, tinued, “ You are suprised to behold " And you, sir_his most devotedall these strange instruments: they take yourself off to your garret, and are necessary for the prosecution of leave me alone with my good friend, my studies ; and, after you have regu- my dear Pavian, here. He, at least, larly attended my lectures on natural has a human heart, and is the very philosophy, their use shall probably brother of my soul. Come, tramp! be explained to you."

-my Pylades must finish his feast of At this moment an occurrence took flies, and his Orestes must set about place which completely drew off An- catching them.". tonio's attention from all these objects. Antonio withdrew in great bewil. A door, which appeared closed, but derment. He retired to his own which was in reality ajar, opened itself apartment-an attic in a remote quarwide, and the youth saw into a cham- ter of the house which he had selected, ber filled with purple light. In the because there he could pursue his rosy glow stood a pale spectral form, studies in greater privacy. He lookwhich nodded and smiled.

ed out over flood and field, and his lightning the old man wheeled round, thoughts turned upon her whom he banged to the door, and locked it with had lately lost. Her picture was in a golden key. Trembling, and pale his hand, and some playthings, which as death, he then threw himself into a had been hers in childhood, were ly. chair, while great drops of sweat ran ing on the floor: but especially dear down his forehead. When he had to him was a nightingale, which was somewhat recovered himself, he made pouring forth its notes of sorrow, as a sign to Antonio to approach, and if its own heart had been overburdensaid with a quivering voice; “ This ed with woe. This bird had been mystery, too, my young friend, shall Crescentia's favourite, and now the one day be cleared up to you. Do enthusiastic youth cherished it as a not think ill of me, my beloved son. holy possession-the last memorial of Thee, before all others, have I chosen his earthly happiness. to initiate into my profound know- He had given up the society of all ledge. Thou shalt be my true scholar his friends except the Spaniard Aland my heir. But leave me now: phonso, who was attached to him by retire to thine own chamber, and pray the admiration they shared in common to heaven and the holy powers to be for the great Pietro. Podesta had friend thee."

left Padua and gone to Rome, with Antonio could make no reply, so the full intention of disinheriting his greatly was he surprised and shocked relations, the Marconi family in Ve. by the apparition he had seen, and so

nice. The old man despaired of remuch was he bewildered by the man. covering the twin-daughter of Cres.'

NO. CCLXXXVI, VOL. XLVI,

Swift as