38 



THE MAN WHO SOLD HIS SHADOW. 



to you my prayers.' * In the name of heaven !' cried 1, ' what can 



I do for a man who ' for a moment both remained silent, and, 



as it appeared to me, we blushed; at length he continued—* During 

 the short time I have had the honour of being in your company, 1 

 have contemplated with great delight the beautiful shadow which 

 projects before you. I feel a very strong desire to possess it : have 

 you any objection to part with it ?' He paused, and I felt I knew 

 not how. It was such a strange request to make — the man must be 

 a fool, thought I ; and adopting a tone and manner suited to this 

 idea, I said, * Go, go, my dear fellow ; have you not your own 

 shadow ? is not that enough to satisfy you without envying me of 

 mine ?' * I have in my pocket,' he replied, ' treasures which it is 

 impossible to overrate, and these I will give you rf you will only 

 part with that beautiful shadow, which I survey with so much 

 admiration.* When I heard of the terrible pocket being opened for 

 me I shuddered, and the blood seemed to iiin cold within my veins. 

 I knew not how to reply ; at length I stammered out, * Pardon me, 

 sir, but I do not understand you.' ' I merely ask the permission,* 

 he replied, ' to raise this noble shadow from the ground, and put it 

 into my pocket.* * But how can I bring it to you ?' * That is my 

 affair — leave that to me ; only let me have your consent, and you 

 shall have the choice of my jewels; and more than this — you shall 

 have the hat of fortune, and the enchanted purse.' * What !' cried I, 

 * the purse of fortune !' The thought bewildered me, and I saw in 

 imagination gold — gold in abundance. I was awoke from the reverie 

 into which I had been thrown by my companion saying to me, * Have 

 the goodness to take this little bag,' which he at the same time pre- 

 sented. I took it ; it was a purse, thick and solid, and tied with two 

 strings, which I unloosed. I then plunged my hand into the purse, 

 and drew out six pieces of gold — again six more — and again six 

 more. ' This is well,' said I ; ' the bargain is concluded. I take 

 this purse, and you take my shadow.' He bowed in silence, and 

 seized his bargain with marvellous eagerness; he then took my 

 shadow from the ground, and, rolling it up, placed it in his pocket, 

 when, with another low bow, he immediately disappeared among the 

 trees. I remember well that I held the purse in my hand with a 

 firm grasp ; but a strange feeling came over me — I cannot describe 

 it — I felt I know not how. 



