me when I
enjoyed the happiness of being near you, I observed, Sir,--will you allow
me to say so--I observed, with unutterable admiration, the beautiful,
beautiful shadow in the sun, which with a certain noble contempt, and
perhaps without being aware of it, you threw off from your feet; forgive
me this, I confess, too daring intrusion, but should you be inclined to
transfer it to me?"

He was silent, and my head turned round like a water-wheel. What could I
make of this singular proposal for disposing of my shadow? He is crazy!
thought I; and with an altered tone, yet more forcible, as contrasted
with the humility of his own, I replied:

"How is this, good friend? Is not your own shadow enough for you? This
seems to me a whimsical sort of bargain indeed." He began again, "I have
in my pocket many matters which might not be quite unacceptable to the
gentleman; for this invaluable shadow I deem any price too little."

A chill came over me: I remembered what I had seen, and knew not how to
address him who I had just ventured to call my good friend. I spoke
again, and assumed an extraordinary courtesy to set matters in order.

"Pardon, Sir, pardon your most humble servant, I do not quite understand
your meaning; how can my shadow--" He interrupted me: "I only beg your
permission to be allowed to lift up your noble shadow, and put it in my
pocket: how to do it is my own affair. As a proof of my gratitude for
the gentleman, I leave him the choice of all the jewels which my pocket
affords; the genuine divining rods, mandrake roots, change pennies, money
extractors, the napkins of Rolando's Squire, and divers other miracle-
workers,--a choice assortment; but all this is not fit for you--better
that you should have Fortunatus's wishing-cap, restored spick and span
new; and also a fortune-bag which belonged to him." "Fortunatus's
fortune-bag!" I exclaimed; and, great as had been my terror, all my
senses were now enraptured by the sound. I became dizzy,--and nothing
but double ducats seemed sparkling before my eyes.

"Condescend, Sir, to inspect and make a trial of this bag." He put his
hand into his pocket, and drew from it a moderately sized,
firmly-stitched purse of thick cordovan, with two convenient leather
cords hanging to it, which he presented to me. I instantly dipped into
it, drew from it ten pieces of gold, and ten more, and ten more, and yet
ten more;--I stretched out my hand. "Done! the bargain is ma