tricks and schemes of the worldly; I show the truth, not garble it."

"Pshaw!" said Radclyffe, impatiently; "this jargon cannot deceive me. You
exhibit your skill for money. I ask one exertion of it, and desire you to
name your reward. Let us talk after the fashion of this world, and leave
that of the other to our dupes."

"Yet, thou hast known grief too," said the diviner, musingly, "and those
who have sorrowed ought to judge more gently of each other. Wilt thou try
my art on thyself, ere thou askest it for others?"

"Ay, if you could restore the dead to my dreams."

"I can!" replied the soothsayer, sternly.

Radclyffe laughed bitterly. "Away with this talk to me; or, if you would
convince me, raise at once the spectre I desire to see!"

"And dost thou think, vain man," replied Liehbur, haughtily, "that I
pretend to the power thou speakest of? Yes; but not as the impostors of
old (dull and gross, appealing to outward spells, and spells wrought by
themselves alone) affected to do. I can bring the dead before thee, but
thou thyself must act upon thyself."

"Mummery! What would you drive at?"

"Wilt thou fast three days, and for three nights abstain from sleep, and
then visit me once again?"

"No, fair deluder; such a preliminary is too much to ask of a Neophyte.