d to get to bed. I had hardly dropped off to sleep when I
was roused by the sound of some soft and charming music. Wondering
whence it could come, I was about to call to my maid who slept in the
room next mine, when, to my surprise, I felt as if some heavy weight on
my chest had taken all power from me, and I lay there unable to utter
the slightest sound. Meantime, by the light of the night lamp, I saw the
stranger enter my room, though the double doors had been securely
locked. He drew near and told me that through the power of his magic
arts he had caused the soft music to waken me, and had made his way
through bolts and bars to offer me his hand and heart. My repugnance to
his magic was so great that I would not condescend to give any answer.
He waited motionless for some time, hoping no doubt for a favourable
reply, but as I continued silent he angrily declared that he would find
means to punish my pride, and therewith he left the room in a rage.

'I spent the night in the greatest agitation, and only fell into a doze
towards morning. As soon as I awoke I jumped up, and hurried to tell my
brother all that had happened, but he had left his room, and his servant
told me that he had gone out at daybreak to hunt with the stranger.

'My mind misgave me. I dressed in all haste, had my palfrey saddled, and
rode of at full gallop towards the forest, attended by one servant only.
I pushed on without pausing, and ere long I saw the stranger coming
towards me, and leading a fine stag. I asked him where he had left my
brother, and how he had got the stag, whose great eyes were overflowing
with tears. Instead of answering he began to laugh, and I flew into such
a rage that I drew a pistol and fired at him; but the bullet rebounded
from his breast and struck my horse in the forehead. I fell to the
ground, and the stranger muttered some words, which robbed me of my
senses.

'When I came to myself I was lying in a crystal coffin in this
subterranean vault. The Magician appeared again, and told me that he had
transformed my brother into a stag, had reduced our castle and all its
defences to miniature and locked them up in a glass box, and after
turning all our household into different vapours had banished them into
glass phials. If I would only yield to his wishes he could easily open
these vessels, and all would then resume their former shapes.

'I would not say a word more than I had done previously, and he
vanished, leaving me