I have had the pleasure to be in your company, I have--permit me,
sir, to say--beheld with unspeakable admiration your most beautiful
shadow, and remarked the air of noble indifference with which you,
at the same time, turn from the glorious picture at your feet, as if
disdaining to vouchsafe a glance at it. Excuse the boldness of my
proposal; but perhaps you would have no objection to sell me your
shadow?" He stopped, while my head turned round like a mill-wheel.
What was I to think of so extraordinary a proposal? To sell my
shadow! "He must be mad," thought I; and assuming a tone more in
character with the submissiveness of his own, I replied, "My good
friend, are you not content with your own shadow? This would be a
bargain of a strange nature indeed!"

"I have in my pocket," he said, "many things which may possess some
value in your eyes: for that inestimable shadow I should deem the
highest price too little."

A cold shuddering came over me as I recollected the pocket; and I
could not conceive what had induced me to style him "GOOD FRIEND,"
which I took care not to repeat, endeavouring to make up for it by a
studied politeness.

I now resumed the conversation: --"But, Sir--excuse your humble
servant--I am at a loss to comprehend your meaning,--my shadow?--how
can I?"

"Permit me," he exclaimed, interrupting me, "to gather up the noble
image as it lies on the ground, and to take it into my possession.
As to the manner of accomplishing it, leave that to me. In return,
and as an evidence of my gratitude, I shall leave you to choose