amour_ between those who were no more. And this subject
he was solicitous to avoid, not only through respect for the memory of
the murdered Agnes, but also to spare the feelings of Count Francisco
and Donna Nisida.

The judges and the procurator fiscal, rinding that they could elicit
nothing from Wagner relative to the cause of his absence from home
during the night preceding the murder, passed on to another subject.

"In an apartment belonging to your residence," said the chief judge,
"there are several pictures and portraits."

Wagner turned pale and trembled. The judge made a signal to an officer
of the court, and that functionary quitted the judgment hall. In a few
minutes he returned, followed by three subordinates bearing the two
portraits mentioned in the sixth chapter of this tale, and also the
frame covered over with the large piece of black cloth. On perceiving
this last object, Wagner became paler still, and trembled violently.

"There are six other pictures in the room whence these have been taken,"
said the judge; "but these six are not of a character to interest the
tribunal. We however require explanations concerning the two portraits
and the frame with the black cloth cover now before us."

The greatest excitement at present prevailed amongst the audience.

"On one of the portraits," continued the chief judge, "there is an
inscription to this effect,--_F., Count of A., terminated his career on
the 1st. of August, 1517._--What does this inscription mean?"

"It means that Faust, Count of Aurana, was a nobleman with whom I
traveled during a period of eighteen months," replied Wagner; "and he
died on the day mentioned in that inscription."

"The world has heard strange reports relative to Faust," said the chief
judge, in a cold voice and with unchanged manner, although the mention
of that name had produced a thrill of horror on the part of his brother
judges and the audience. "Art thou aware that rumor ascribes to him a
compact with the Evil One?"

Wagner gazed around him in horrified amazement, for the incident of the
preceding night returned with such force to his mind that he could
scarcely subdue an agonizing ebullition of emotion.

The chief judge next recited the inscription on the other
portrait:--"_F. W. January 7th, 1516. His last day thus._" But Wagner
maintained a profound silence, and neither threats nor entreaties could
induce him to give the least explanation concerning that inscripti