noise
of subterraneous streams roaring from unmeasurable deeps; and the stone
that was thrown into the abyss seemed in its echoing fall to find no
bottom. He depicted to me, as he had often done, with a luxuriant fancy,
and in the glowing charms of the brightest colouring, careful and
detailed pictures of the brilliant figure I might make in the world by
means of my purse, if I had only my shadow again in my possession. My
elbows were supported on my knees while I covered my face with my hands,
listening to the evil one, my heart twice rent between temptation and my
own earnest will. Such internal discord I could no longer endure, and
the decisive struggle began.

"You seem to forget, good sir, that I have allowed you to remain in my
company only on certain conditions, and that I retained for myself my
unrestrained liberty."--"If you order me, I shall move off:" the threat
was one to which he was accustomed.--I ceased: he sat himself quietly
down, and began to roll up my shadow. I grew pale, but I stood dumb
while he did so. There was a long silence. He thus broke it:

"You cannot endure me, sir! you hate me--I know it: but why do you hate
me? Is it because, when you attacked me on the highway, you attempted to
steal my charm by force? or is it because you endeavoured fraudulently to
get possessed of my property, the shadow, which had been confided to your
simple honour? For myself, I do not hate you for that; it is quite
natural you should seek to turn your advantages, your cunning, your
strength to good account. That you have the most rigid principles, and
are honesty itself, is a hobby-horse belief of your own, to which I can
have no objection. My notions are not so strict as yours: I only act
according to your notions. But did I ever attempt to strangle you in
order to possess your valuable soul, to which I really have a great
liking? Have I, for the sake of my bartered purse, let loose a servant
upon you, and endeavoured to run away with it?" I could answer nothing
to all this,--and he continued.--"Well then, sir, well! You cannot
endure me, I understand it, and am not displeased with you for that. It
is clear we must part, and you really are become very tedious to me; but
to get rid of my perplexing presence altogether for the future, I will
give you a piece of advice--buy the thing of me!" I held out the purse
to him. "At the price?"--"No!"--I sighed deeply, and began again.--"Well,
then, I ins