this was one of these narrow minded new fellows who were so wearisome to men of intellect and refinement true he was himself of that community for circumstances had driven him into the herd but oh he found them a dreary set their bald doctrines of individual effort of personal striving to win a personal did not appeal to him moreover they generally ended at the stake now about the pomp and circumstance of the mother church there was something attractive of course as a matter of prudence he attended its from time to time and found them comfortable and satisfying comfortable also were the of forgiveness to be obtained by an act of confession and the sense of a great supporting force whose whole weight was at the disposal of the in short there was nothing picturesque about the excellent departed nothing that could justify the young woman in herself up in grief for him to the entire of a person who wm picturesque and ready at the first opportunity to wrap himself up in her after long brooding assisted by a close study of the the master of the period convinced himself that in all this there was something unnatural that the girl must be a species of spell which in her own interest ought to be broken through but how that was the question try as he would he could do nothing therefore like others in a difficulty he determined to seek the assistance of an expert namely black who among her other occupations for a certain fee in advance was ready to give advice as a in affairs of the heart to black accordingly he went disguised secretly and by night for he loved mystery and in truth it was hardly safe that he should visit her by the light of day seated in a chamber he poured out his tale to the of course concealing names lie might have spared himself this trouble as he was an old of s a fact that no disguise could keep from her before he opened his lips she knew perfectly what was the name of his and indeed all the circumstances connected with the pair of them the wise woman listened in patience and when he had done shook her head saying that the case was too hard for her she proposed however to consult a master more learned than herself who by great good fortune was at that moment in her house in fact and begged that would return at the same hour on the morrow now as it chanced oddly enough black had been by the said master to bring about a meeting between himself and this very young man returned accordingly and was informed that the master after consulting the stars and other sources of had become so deeply interested in the affair that for pure love of the thing and not for any purpose of gain he was in attendance to advise in person was and prayed that he might be introduced presently a noble looking form entered the room wrapped in a long cloak bowed and the form after contemplating him earnestly � very earnestly if he had known the truth � acknowledged the salute with dignity cleared his throat and began to speak whereon the sage stopped him explanations are needless young man he said in a measured and melodious voice for my studies of the matter have already informed me of more than you can tell let me see your name is van � no called van the lady you desire to win is the daughter of a and well known who was recently executed at the she i a girl of much beauty but one insensible to the influence of love and who does not at present recognise your worth there are also unless i am mistaken other important circumstances connected with the case this lady is a great but her fortune is at present missing it is i have reason to believe hidden in the she is surrounded with influences that are to you all of which however can be overcome if you will place yourself in my hands for young man i accept no half confidences nor do i ask for any fee when the fortune is recovered and the maiden is your happy wife then we will talk of payment for services rendered and not before wonderful wonderful gasped most learned every word you say is true yes friend and i have not told you all the truth for instance � but no this is not the time to speak the question is do you accept my terms what terms the old terms without which no wonder can be worked � faith absolute faith the master hesitated a little absolute faith seemed a large present to give a complete stranger at a first interview i read your thought and i respect it went on the sage who to tell truth was afraid he had ventured a little too far there is no hurry these affairs cannot be concluded in a day admitted that they could not but intimated that he would be glad of a little practical and immediate assistance the sage buried his face in hid hands and thought the first thing to do he said presently is to induce a favourable disposition of the maiden s mind towards yourself and this i think can best be brought about � though the method is one which i do not often use � by means of a love carefully to suit the circumstances of the case if you will come here to morrow at dusk the lady of this house � a worthy woman though rough of speech and no true � will hand it to you it isn t poisonous suggested doubtfully fool do i deal in it will poison the girl s heart in your favour that is all and how is it to be 