power of the mysterious unknown, determined to rescue it by force,
should that be necessary; and disdaining to use any finesse, he
desired him directly, and without any disputing, to restore my
property. Instead of a reply, the grey man turned his back on the
worthy fellow, and was making off. But Bendel raised his buck-thorn
stick; and following close upon him, after repeated commands, but in
vain, to restore the shadow, he made him feel the whole force of his
powerful arm. The grey man, as if accustomed to such treatment,
held down his head, slouched his shoulders, and, with soft and
noiseless steps, pursued his way over the heath, carrying with him
my shadow, and also my faithful servant. For a long time I heard
hollow sounds ringing through the waste, until at last they died
away in the distance, and I was again left to solitude and misery.


Alone on the wild heath, I disburdened my heart of an insupportable
load by giving free vent to my tears. But I saw no bounds, no
relief, to my surpassing wretchedness; and I drank in the fresh
poison which the mysterious stranger had poured into my wounds with
a furious avidity. As I retraced in my mind the loved image of my
Minna, and depicted her sweet countenance all pale and in tears,
such as I had beheld her in my late disgrace, the bold and sarcastic
visage of Rascal would ever and anon thrust itself between us. I
hid my face, and fled rapidly over the plains; but the horrible
vision unrelentingly pursued me, till at last I sank breathless on
the ground, and bedewed it with a fresh torrent of tears--and all
this for a shadow!--a shadow which one stroke of the pen would
repurchase. I pondered on the singular proposal, and on my
hesitation to comply with it. My mind was confused--I had lost the
power of judging or comprehending. The day was waning apace. I