"That is my secret, Sir Jasper, and my secrets I keep. Come, hold
forth your hand, and test my skill."

"Why should I? Even if you can bring before me my past life, of what
use will it be, since I must know all better than you?"

"My power to read the past may prove my power to read the future."

"Nay, you may easily know the past, without magical skill. Many
thanks, my venerable friend, but I will not put your necromancy to the
test."

"Is Sir Jasper Kingsland afraid?" he said. "Surely not, for he comes
of a daring race. And yet it seems like it."

"By Heaven! if a younger man had spoken those words I would have hurled
him by the throat from yonder window. Be careful of your words, old
man, else even your hoary hairs may fail to save you."

Once more the astrologer bent servilely.

"I cry your mercy, my haughty Lord of Kingsland. It shall be as you
say. I will depart as I came. I will not serve you nor your new-born
son, since you refuse to be served. I will depart at once. I fear no
earthly storm. Good-night, Sir Jasper Kingsland. Look to the heir of
your house yourself. When 'angels unaware' visit you again, treat them
better than you have treated me."

With a gesture indescribably grand and kingly, the silver-haired old
man turned to go, folding his long cloak about him. But the voice of