PRODIGIES. 267 



whether it was not neatly done ; but Jerome was absorbed 

 in admiration at the prodigy, which he was not able to 

 comprehend. Search then was again made for the ring 

 with much anxious fear and care, lest the light should 

 become extinguished; the ring, however, was soon found 

 on the ground, under the bed. " It could not possibly 

 have got there," Jerome adds, " unless it were conveyed 

 by hand ; its shape would have hindered it from rolling ; 

 besides, if it had rolled, it would not have been in that 

 direction. It could not have fallen where it lay, for the 

 pillow joined close to the bed-head, and the bed had 

 raised sides, in which there was no chink. I expressed 

 only wonder, but the boy himself trembled with fear. 

 Many things may, I know, be said, but nothing 

 likely to persuade a man, however small his superstition, 

 that the thing was not a portent signifying the reversal 

 of my condition and my reputation." Cardan, after the 

 ring was found, put it on his hand, and asked the boy to 

 draw it off, but it fitted so tightly that he could not, or 

 did not, do so. The philosopher himself then took it off, 

 and laid it aside for ever, after he had worn it for years 

 as a protection against lightning, plague, night-watching, 

 and palpitation of the heart. 



Turning this prodigy to use, Jerome on the following 

 day reflected on his dangers ; and, on the excuse that his 

 health was weak, determined that he would not set foot 



