to choose among all the
treasures I have in my pocket, among which are a variety of enchanting
articles, not exactly adapted for you, who, I am sure, would like
better to have the wishing-cap of Fortunatus, all made new and sound
again, and a lucky purse, which also belonged to him."

"Fortunatus's purse!" cried I; and, great as was my mental anguish,
with that one word he had penetrated the deepest recesses of my soul. A
feeling of giddiness came over me, and double ducats glittered before
my eyes.

"Be pleased, gracious sir, to examine this purse, and make a trial of
its contents."

He put his hand in his pocket, and drew forth a large strongly stitched
bag of stout Cordovan leather, with a couple of strings to match, and
presented it to me. I seized it--took out ten gold pieces, then ten
more, and this I repeated again and again. Instantly I held out my hand
to him.

"Done," said I; "the bargain is made: my shadow for the purse."

"Agreed," he answered; and, immediately kneeling down, I beheld him,
with extraordinary dexterity, gently loosen my shadow from the grass,
lift it up, fold it together, and, at last, put it in his pocket. He
then rose, bowed once more to me, and directed his steps towards the
rose-bushes. I fancied I heard him quietly laughing to himself.
However, I held the purse fast by the two strings. The earth was
basking beneath the brightness of the sun; but I presently lost all
consciousness.

* * * * *

On recovering my senses, I hastened to quit a place where I hoped there
was nothing further to detain me. I first filled my pockets with gold,
then fastened the strings of the purse round my neck, and concealed it
in my bosom. I passed unnoticed out of the park, gained the high road,
and took the way to the town.

As I was thoughtfully approaching the gate, I heard some one behind me
exclaiming, "Young man! young man! you have lost your shadow!" I
turned, and perceived an old woman calling after me. "Thank you,
my good woman," said I; and throwing her a piece of gold for her
well-intended information, I stepped under the trees.

At the gate, again, it was my fate to hear the sentry inquiring where
the gentleman had left his shadow; and immediately I heard a couple of
women exclaiming, "Jesu Maria! the poor man has no shadow!" All this
began to depress me, and I carefully avoided walking in the sun; but
this could not everywhere be the case: for in the