soul under the
pressure of such mighty emotions, or to the exhaustion of my physical
strength, weakened by the unwonted abstinence of the days gone by, or to
that fatal agitation which the approach of this grey adversary produced
through my whole frame; but certain it is, that while preparing to sign,
I fell into a deep swoon, and lay a long time as in the arms of death.

On coming to my recollection, the first tones that reached my ears were
the stamping of feet and cursing. I opened my eyes; it was dark; my
hated companion was there holding me, but scolding thus: "Now, is not
that behaving like a silly old woman? Let the gentleman rise up--conclude
the business--as he intended--or, perhaps he has other thoughts--would
like still to weep." With difficulty I raised myself from the ground
where I lay, and looked silently around me. The evening was advanced;
festive music broke from the brightly-lighted forest-house, and groups of
company were scattered over the garden walks. Some drew near who were
engaged in conversation, and seated themselves on the benches. They
spoke of the nuptials of the daughter of the house with the rich Mr.
Rascal--they had taken place in the morning--all--all was over.

I struck away with my hand from my head the wishing-cap of the instantly-
vanishing unknown one, and fled in silence to conceal myself in the
deepest darkness of the wood, hurrying to the garden gate before Count
Peter's arbour. But my evil genius accompanied me unseen, pursuing me
with bitter words. "This, then, is the reward one is to get for the
trouble of taking care, through the live-long day, of the nervous
gentleman! And I am then to be fooled at last? Very well, very well,
Mr. Wronghead: fly from me, but we are inseparable. You have my gold,
and I your shadow; they leave no rest to either. Did anybody ever hear
of a shadow abandoning its master? Yours draws me after you, till you
condescend to take it again, and I get rid of it. What you have sold, or
neglected to do, of your own free-will, that will you be compelled to
repair with repugnance and weariness; man cannot oppose his destiny." He
continued to talk in the same tone,--I fled from him in vain--he was
always behind me--ever present--and speaking sneeringly of gold and
shadow. I could not repose on a single thought.

Through untrodden, vacant streets, I hastened to my abode. I stood
before it--looked up--and hardly recognized it. Behind the clos