lectures on natural philosophy, I shall be able
hereafter to explain everything which now perhaps you may deem
incomprehensible."

But at this moment something happened that drew away Antonio's
attention from all these objects. A door that seemed shut was only
ajar; it opened, and he saw into a room filled with a red purplish
light; and at the door in the midst of this roseate glow was standing
a pale ghost that winkt and smiled.

With the speed of lightning the old man turned round, dasht the door
thunderingly to, and fastened it with a gold key. Trembling and pale
as a corpse he then threw himself into a chair, while large drops of
sweat ran down from his forehead.

When he was somewhat recovered, he beckoned to Antonio, still
trembling and said with a faltering voice: "This mystery also, my
young friend, will hereafter become clear to you; think, my dearest
son, the best of me. Thee above all, thou child of many sorrows and of
my love, will I lead into the lowest depths of my knowledge; thou
shalt be my true scholar, my heir. But leave me at present; go up to
thy lonely chamber, and call in fervent prayer upon heaven and its
holy powers to support thee."

Antonio could make no answer, so amazed and horrourstruck was he by
the apparition, so perplext by his honoured teacher's speech; for it
seemed to him as though Pietro was struggling to check a burst of
anger, as if represt rage were flashing from his firy eyes, which
after their sudden dimness rapidly shot forth fiercer glances.

He went away; and in the antechamber he found Beresynth, who with
grinning mouth was catching flies and then tossing them to a monkey.
Both seemed engaged in a match which could make the most portentous
faces. His master now called aloud for the servant, and the monster
hopt in. Antonio heard a loud squabble, and Pietro appeared to be
violently angry. Whining and yelling Beresynth came out of the room; a
stream of blood was rushing down from his enormous nose.

"Can't he keep his doors shut himself," howled the abortion,
"allsapient and allpotent as he is? When the master is a blockhead,
the servant must bear the blame. Betake you yourself, most honorablest
sir, up to your most attic study, and leave me with my good friend, my
dear Pavian here, in peace. He has still a human heart, the dear
faithful creature. Merry comrade as he is, in his tender moments he is
the most exquisite fellow. Come march! Pylades would feast on some
more