the grove, rapidly passed Count Peter's bower towards the entrance-
gate; but my tormentor still haunted me, and loaded me with
reproaches. "And is this all the gratitude I am to expect from you,
Mr. Schlemihl--you, whom I have been watching all the weary day,
until you should recover from your nervous attack? What a fool's
part I have been enacting! It is of no use flying from me, Mr.
Perverse--we are inseparable--you have my gold, I have your shadow;
this exchange deprives us both of peace. Did you ever hear of a
man's shadow leaving him?--yours follows me until you receive it
again into favour, and thus free me from it. Disgust and weariness
sooner or later will compel you to do what you should have done
gladly at first. In vain you strive with fate!"

He continued unceasingly in the same tone, uttering constant
sarcasms about the gold and the shadow, till I was completely
bewildered. To fly from him was impossible. I had pursued my way
through the empty streets towards my own house, which I could
scarcely recognise--the windows were broken to pieces, no light was
visible, the doors were shut, and the bustle of domestics had
ceased. My companion burst into a loud laugh. "Yes, yes," said he,
"you see the state of things: however, you will find your friend
Bendel at home; he was sent back the other day so fatigued, that I
assure you he has never left the house since. He will have a fine
story to tell! So I wish you a very good night--may we shortly meet
again!"

I had repeatedly rung the bell: at last a light appeared; and
Bendel inquired from within who was there. The poor fellow could
scarcely contain himself at the sound of my voice. The door flew
open, and we were locked in each other's arms. I found him sadly