So much was I altered, that scarcely could he recollect my features: the distress visible upon his sufficiently testified how lively was the interest which he felt for me. The society of this amiable boy, whom I had always considered rather as a companion than a servant, was now my only comfort. His conversation was gay yet sensible, and his observations shrewd and entertaining: he had picked up much more knowledge than is usual at his age: but what rendered him most agreeable to me, was his having a delightful voice, and some skill in music. He had also acquired some taste in poetry, and even ventured sometimes to write verses himself. He occasionally composed little ballads in Spanish, his compositions were but indifferent, I must confess; yet they were pleasing to me from their novelty, and hearing him sing them to his guitar was the only amusement, which I was capable of receiving. Theodore perceived well enough that something preyed upon my mind; but as I concealed the cause of my grief even from him, respect would not permit him to pry into my secrets.
One evening I was lying upon my sofa, plunged in reflections very far from agreeable: Theodore amused himself by observing from the window a battle between two postillions, who were quarrelling in the inn-yard.
“Ha! Ha!” cried he suddenly; “Yonder is the great Mogul.”
“Who?” said I.
“Only a man who made me a strange speech at Munich.”
“What was the purport of it?”
“Now you put me in mind of it, señor, it was a kind of message to you; but truly it was not worth delivering. I believe the fellow to be mad, for my part. When I came to Munich in search of you, I found him living at The King of the Romans, and the host gave me an odd account of him. By his accent he is supposed to be a foreigner, but of what country nobody can tell. He seemed to have no acquaintance in the town, spoke very seldom, and never was seen to smile. He had neither servants or baggage; but his purse seemed well-furnished, and he did much good in the town. Some supposed him to be an Arabian astrologer, others to be a travelling mountebank, and many declared that he was doctor Faustus, whom the devil had sent back to Germany. The landlord, however told me, that he had the best reasons to believe him to be the great Mogul incognito.”
“But the strange speech, Theodore.”
“True, I had almost forgotten the speech: indeed for that matter, it would not have been a great loss if I had forgotten it altogether. You are to know, señor, that while I was enquiring about you of the landlord, this stranger passed by. He stopped, and looked at me earnestly.
“ ‘Youth!’ said he in a solemn voice, ‘He whom you seek, has found that which he would fain lose. My hand alone can dry up the blood: bid your master wish for me when the clock strikes one.’
“How?” cried I, starting from my sofa. (The words which Theodore had repeated, seemed to imply the stranger’s knowledge of my secret: “Fly to him, my boy! Entreat him to grant me one moment’s conversation!”)
Theodore was surprised at the vivacity of my manner: however, he asked no questions, but hastened to obey me. I waited his return impatiently. But a short space of time had elapsed when he again appeared and ushered the expected guest into my chamber. He was a man of majestic presence: his countenance was strongly marked, and his eyes were large, black, and sparkling: yet there was a something in his look which, the moment that I saw him, inspired me with a secret awe, not to say horror. He was dressed plainly, his hair was unpowdered, and a band of black velvet which encircled his forehead spread over his features an additional gloom. His countenance wore the marks of profound melancholy; his step was slow, and his manner grave, stately, and solemn.
He saluted me with politeness; and having replied to the usual compliments of introduction, he motioned to Theodore to quit the chamber. The page instantly withdrew.
“I know your business,” said he, without giving me time to speak.
“I have the power of releasing you from your nightly visitor; but this cannot be done before Sunday. On the hour when the Sabbath morning breaks, spirits of darkness have least influence over mortals. After Saturday the nun shall visit you no more.”
“May I not enquire,” said I, “by what means you are in possession of a secret which I have carefully concealed from the knowledge of everyone?”
“How can I be ignorant of your distress, when their cause at this moment stands beside you?”
I started. The stranger continued.
“Though to you only visible for one hour in the twenty-four, neither day or night does she ever quit you; nor will she ever quit you till you have granted her request.”
“And what is that request?”
“That she must herself explain: it lies not in my knowledge. Wait with patience for the night of Saturday: all shall be then cleared
