derly
loved him when young and beautiful, now that the first bloom of youth
and beauty had faded!

Bischofswerder and Woellner recognized this difficulty, and applied
themselves the more energetically for its removal. They supposed that
the unexpected arrival of Cagliostro would very naturally appear to the
prince as a special messenger, sent, without doubt, from the fathers,
to accomplish his conversion. They announced to the prince that the
Invisibles had taken pity upon his desire for knowledge, and had
consented to permit him to gaze into the regions of the blest, although
he wandered in the path of vice, and that he must hold himself in
readiness to accompany the messenger whenever he should be sent to call
him.

For this reason the crown prince had written to Wilhelmine that she
should not expect him until the following morning, and he did not quit
his room the entire day, with excited expectation awaiting the summons.
As evening set in the prince was cast down, and quite of the opinion
that the Invisibles did not deem him worthy to enter their pure
presence, and thought that Wilhelmine must be the hinderance. Whilst he
was reflecting whether to sacrifice his beloved to the salvation of his
soul, the secret door gently opened, and two men, masked and wrapped in
black cloaks, entered and placed themselves near the door. The prince
did not remark their entrance, and was quite frightened as he chanced to
turn, and saw these two immovable figures.

With quivering voice he demanded their mission.

In the same tone, as if one were an echo of the other, they answered,
"We desire nothing, but you demand knowledge of the spirit-world, and
would have its mysteries revealed to you, which the Invisibles will now
grant you. Follow us, therefore!" They reopened the secret door; one of
the masked preceded the prince, and the other followed him.

The prince shuddered at the thought that he might be rushing into some
unknown danger, and intrusting himself to those who would misuse his
confidence. He demanded to see their faces, declaring himself prepared
to follow, when acquainted with his guides.

"It would then be better to remain," replied one of the masked. "He
who lacks confidence is not worthy of it, and he who trusts only the
Visibles, the Invisibles flee."

The prince recognized the voice of Bischofswerder, and smiled, but
he knew not that it was permitted him to hear it to inspire him with
courage.

"Well, so l