A dizziness seized me, and double ducats seemed to glitter
before my eyes.
"Honored Sir, will you do me the favor to view, and to make trial
of this purse?" He thrust his hand into his pocket, and drew out a
tolerably large, well-sewed purse of stout Corduan leather, with two
strong strings, and handed it to me. I plunged my hand into it, and
drew out ten gold pieces, and again ten, and again ten, and again ten.
I extended him eagerly my hand "Agreed! the business is done; for the
purse you have my shadow!"
He closed with me; kneeled instantly down before me, and I beheld him,
with an admirable dexterity, gently loosen my shadow from top to toe
from the grass, lift it up, roll it together, fold it, and, finally,
pocket it. He arose, made me another obeisance, and retreated toward
the rosary. I fancied that I heard him there softly laughing to
himself; but I held the purse fast by the strings; all round me lay
the clear sunshine, and within me was yet no power of reflection.
CHAPTER II
At length I came to myself, and hastened to quit the place where I had
nothing more to expect. In the first place I filled my pockets with
gold; then I secured the strings of the purse fast round my neck, and
concealed the purse itself in my bosom. I passed unobserved out of the
park, reached the highway and took the road to the city. As, sunk
in thought, I approached the gate, I heard a cry behind me--"Young
gentleman! eh! young gentleman! hear you!" I looked round, an old
woman called after me.
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