have been exceedingly prosperous since I was with you last,-I have become rich and influential: if I choose to purchase my freedom from servitude, I am able to do so; " and he rattled a quantity of trinkets that were hanging to his watch, and played with a thick golden chain which he wore round his neck. And now all his fingers sparkled with diamond rings; and all was real, too. "I cannot recover from my surprise," said the learned man. "What does all this mean?” "Something usual, most assuredly not," said the shadow; "but you yourself don't belong to the every-day sort of people; and I have, as you well know, from my earliest years, trod in your footsteps. As soon as you found that I was ripe enough to go alone into the world, I went my own way. I am in the most brilliant circumstances; but a sort of longing came over me to see you once again before you die: I wished to see this country once again, for, after all, one ever feels an attachment to one's country. I know you have got another shadow; pray, have I anything to pay to it or to you?" "Dear me is it really thou?" said the learned man. Why, this is very remarkable! I never thought one could see one's old shadow again as a human being!" 66 Only let me know what I have to pay," said the shadow; "for I should not like to be in any person's debt." "How canst thou talk so," said the learned man; "of what debt can there be any question? Thou art as free as any one. I rejoice exceedingly at thy good fortune. Come, sit down, old friend, and tell me a little how all this happened, and what thou saw'st in the warm countries in the house that was opposite to us." “Yes, that I will tell you," said the shadow, seating himself; "but then you must promise me that you never will tell any one here in the town, meet me when you may, that I have been your shadow. I have the intention to marry, for I can more than maintain a family." man; "Do not be alarmed," said the learned "I will not tell any one whom in reality thou art here is my hand, I promise it on the faith of a man." "On the faith of a shadow," said the shadow; for so, you know, he ought to speak. But it was quite remarkable how very human the shadow was: he was dressed all in black, and his clothes were of the very finest cloth; he wore patent leather boots, and a hat that one could squeeze together, so that there was nothing but brim and crown; not to speak of what we already |