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"Dost thou recall to mind what I told thee 1 saw enacted in thy mysterious mirror , on Hallowe ' en nearly twenty-four years ago ? " asked the cavalier , anxiously . ' "Of a surety do 1 , " was the reply .

" Well , I want thee now to divine again , and tell me whether that awful fate still hangs over me . 1 also desire thee to inform me if a great step I am about to take will result favourably to my fortunes or not . Canst thou do this Y " " My good , sir , I will try , " answered the philosopher

Standing on the sill of the window , was a small vessel of pottery containing a plant in bloom . Paracelsus opened the casement and brought the flower-pot into the room . He removed the plant and placed the vessel ou the table . He then lowered the sash of the window and . allowed a current of air to enter the apartment . Taking from a bag a small hand-lamp he ignited it . He also drew forth a

cone-shaped vase or glass nearly filled with water and hermetically sealed . This hc shook violently several times until thc water became agitated and sent up air bubbles . The draught of air into the room had caused the lint specks or motes to float and dance in the sunbeams that shone upon the tapestry of the floor . These the philosopher inspected narrowly . He next closely examined the

cracks of earth within the vessel of pottery , the sparks that occasionally came from the lamp and the bubbles of air within the vase of crystal . His final proceeding was to spread on the table in a semi-circle thirty-three cards that were covered with cabalistic figures . These mysterious actions occupied a space of time of some fifteen minutes . Shaking his head sorrowfully , with eyes moistened by tears and in a voice disturbed b y emotion , he said ,

" Woe to me ! I cannot give thee any hope . Thou art doomed to perish violently , and that ere long . The enterprise that thou art meditating will hasten that catastrophe . As I told thee years ago thou canst- not tight against the inevitable . Thou hast moreover , many foes as thy horoscope foreshadowed , but there is ono matt iu particular whose heart is adamant and whose hatred of thee is so great , so implacable , that he will not rest till he has sent thee to a sanguinary death . "

During the delivery ot these words the cavalier rested his head pensively upon one hand and with the other hand ho nervously clasped his knee . The astrologer was struck , as he had been years before , by the extreme beauty of thc hands thusjjpeuly displayed . Presently the cavalier , said ,

" Good Master Paracelsus , L yearn to live a few years longer for the sake of those closely allied to and beloved by me , my wife and my darling children . But if 1 am lo die as thou sayest by violent means and that speedily , may 1 meet my fate with the fortitude of a man and thc resignation of a Christian . " * He then stood up and reverently bowing his head , solemnly added , " His will be done , may He forgive , as I do , all mine enemies . Farewell , old friend , we

may . not meet again on earth . " Before the philosopher had time lo reply , thc speaker continued , " Thou wilt find a refection prepared for thee , and my messenger will p lace in thy hands a tribute of niy gratitude for journeying so far from home at thy advaiieetl age lo execute my bidding . By the way wert thou not afraid to stir abroad and leave thy secrets , thy books , aud ^ thy heir-looms at the mei-cy of any prying visitor or thief Y "

" Those treasures , sir , are hidden in a place known but to myself , " answered the astrologer . " My time has not yet come . When 1 feel decrepitude creeping upon me , I shall communicate all my secrets and bequeath my most precious heritages and my personal manuscripts to him who is , if rumour speaks truly , a clever learned man , one Master William Lilly . "

" Methinks the name is familiar to me , " remarked the other , aiid a tremor shook his frame . " Once more , adieu ! " aud he extended his hand . Paracelsus took the hand thus given , swiftly glanced at the palm , and bending low , saluted it . This strange action did not appear to startle nor to offend the cavalier , he merely arose and courteously saw his visitor to the door .

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I he latter was taken to another room where a repast awaited him . At its conclusion hc was again blind-folded , conducted to the barge , aud reached his dwelling just as St . Paul ' s proclaimed the hour of midnight . Before bidding him " good-night , " the messenger placed a small bag iu the hand of Paracelsus , and without waiting for a reply disappeared in the darkness .

Upon examining it later , the old man found that it contained five arid twenty gold pieces , and , what pleased him more , an antique thumb or pastoral ring ! About seventeen mouths after the events last narrated , the philosopher , at an earl } ' hour left his dwelling , hailed a boat , and directed

the . waterman to row him to Westminster Stairs . His appearance was greatly changed . His eyes had lost their brightness , his cheeks were hollo-w and his back was bent . When he looked iu his mirror he noticed these signs of senility , and it troubled bim . Yet he felt not ill , his appetite was good , his brain clear , and his voice strong as of yore .

' No , no , he ruminated , "I have years yet to live . 1 will not consult a leech . Why should I who own and drink the most precious of all medicaments—the Time and Death defeating elixir . " Upon this particular morning , he carried with him a stout oaken staff and his telescope . Upon arriving at Westminster he found two troopers waiting for him , clad in buff jerkins , jack-boots and

steel head pieces . They saluted him profoundly , and escorted him , not without difficulty , through a surging , roariug , screaming mob of both sexes . Proceeding down the crowded street and passing Holbein ' s Gateway , they halted at the door of a house immediately facing Inigo Jones ' s Banqueting Hall . Admission having beeti given , the old man was conducted to a room on the first floor where

several persons were assembled gazing through the open window upon the busy scene . In front of the Hall was a large scaffold , draped in black . Between one of the upper and lower windows was an opening leading to the dread object . A block and a basket were also prominent features . Guarding thc scaffold were mounted troops , three and four deep ; some were armed with pikes and others

with drawn swords . Towards one o ' clock the crowd became so dense that scores of persons fainted , and they were passed over the heads of others to a place of safety . It was a . bright day for the time of tho year , but the keen wind blew occasionally and caused many a spectator lo shiver . Soon after one o ' clock the rattle' of drums was heard , and the soldiers forced back the crowd and then

sat rigidly at attention on their chargers . A body of halberdiers came first upon the scene , and they were followed by two officers apparently of high position . Then came the headsman , his features covered with black crape , and by his side walked his assistant , also masked . After them strode a stately man , pale but with mien undaunted , and following him were two Bishops in their rotes .

The rear of the procession was composed of attendants and more halberdiers . Paracelsus was a keen observer of all this , and when the cortege was fully assembled on the scaffold , he scrutinised the individuals composing it through his telescope . Presently , in loud accents , he exclaimed , much to the astonishment of those around him , "It is he , my unknown visitor . 1 recognise him

by his graceful carriage and his shapel y hands . See , he is addressing the people . Having concluded his speech he raises his eyes to heaven and is evidently mentally praying . A figure approaches , kneels before him , and kisses his outstretched hand . He now prays with the ecclesiastics . He then removes his cloak

and doublet , and hands them to his attendants . Again he turns towards the populace and extends his hands as if in the act of blessing them . Au officer issues an order , and the drums beat to drown his voice should he attempt once more to address the people . He turns sorrowfully away , and submits quietly to the dread offices of the executioners . He kneels without assistance and bends his

head . How hushed the crowd is . Nearly all uncover , many of the spectators are praying , women scream and are borne fainting away . The headsman raises his axe , the victim gives a signal with his hand , the weapon descends—Heaven have mercy upon him ! Alas poor King , to perish thus in thy prime . "

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