perjurer is of the cruelest. The divine Paracelsus gives one
example, which will suffice to inspire in you a salutary fear.

"There was in the German town of Staufen a spagyric philosopher who
had, like yourself, connection with a Salamander. He was depraved
enough to deceive her with a woman, certainly pretty, but not more
beautiful than a woman can be. One evening, having supper with his
new mistress in company with some friends, they saw a thigh of
marvellous beauty shining over their heads. The Salamander exposed
it to impress on them all, that she did not deserve the wrong
inflicted by her lover; after that the outraged celestial struck
down the unfaithful lover with apoplexy. The vulgar, who are made to
be deceived, believed his to be a natural death; the initiated knew
by whose hand he was slain. I owed you this advice, my son, and this
example."

They were less useful to me than M. d'Asterac thought. Listening to
them I mused on other subjects of alarm. Without doubt my face must
have betrayed the state of anxiety I was in; because the great
cabalist, having looked at me, asked me if I was not afraid that an
engagement, guarded by conditions so severe, would be troublesome to
my youth.

"I am able to reassure you," he added. "The jealousy of a Salamander
is awakened only by rivalry with women, and to speak truly it is
more resentment, indignation, disgust, than real jealousy. The souls
of the Salamanders are too noble, their intelligence too subtle, to
envy one another, and to give way to a sentiment pertaining to the
barbarity wherein humanity is still half plunged. On the contrary
they delight to share with their playmates the joys they taste