great composure.

"But he _has_ lost her!"

"I know it," replied Dee.

"I have just left him in great anger, swearing by things both visible
and invisible that he will have his own again; that we are confederate
in the matter: and that he will cite us both before the chapter or the
Star-Chamber."

"How hath it happened?" said Dee, scrawling listlessly with his pen.

"I went with him to the boy, thinking I would see the end on't. By the
way he did use many taunts and ill-natured speeches about my pursuit
after the great arcanum, and belief in the celestial sciences; together
with many unpleasant hints that the money we have expended in the
adventure will never be got back. Discoursing thus, we came near to the
place where he expected to find the boy. Sure enough he was there, and
fast asleep on the ground; but the mare was gone, the bridle being left
on the lad's arm, which his master banged about his shoulders until he
awaked. Pray, Master Dee, be pleased to help him to his mare. I owe him
moneys, for which he, taking advantage of the debt, may put me in
prison."

"The scoffer shall not go unpunished, nor shall he that revileth partake
of the blessing. Go thy way, and tell him he may not recover his goods."

Eccleston departed with this heavy message, and Bartholomew was again
left communing with the Doctor.

The matter that still occupied their thoughts was the treasure at
Aldport Lodge. With this in their possession they might reasonably
expect that great progress would be made in their search for the
philosopher's stone and the vivifying elixir. These important articles
obtained, the hidden secrets of nature would be at their command, and
their schemes and wishes might then be pursued with the certainty of
success. The night but one following, at the precise time when the moon
came to a trine aspect with Saturn and Jupiter, was appointed for the
discovery. The hour of Saturn commenced five minutes before midnight,
and the heavenly influences were then singularly disposed in favour of
their undertaking.

With dazzling anticipations of future prosperity and success they
separated: one to indulge in dreams so chimerical and vast that even
Fancy herself drew back, dazzled with her own brightness; the other to
an obscure lodging in the Old Millgate, where he committed himself to
the keeping of a straw pallet and a coverlet of which the rats had for
some time before held undisputed possession.

The night fixe