“Rather swear by thy own beautiful head, Wilhelmine,” said a voice behind her. Startled, she turned, and beheld the tall figure of a man, wrapped in a long cloak, who stood in the open door. “Who are you?” she cried, amazed. “How dare you enter here?” The figure closed the door, without answering, and, slowly approaching Wilhelmine, fixed his black eyes upon her with a searching gaze. She tried to summon help, but the words died on her lips; her cheeks blanched with terror, and, as if rooted to the floor, she stood with outstretched arms imploring the approaching form. The figure smiled, but there was something commanding in its manner, and in the fiery eyes, which rested upon her. When quite near her, it raised its right hand with an impatient movement. Immediately her arms fell at her side, her cheeks glowed, and a bright smile lighted up her face. Then it lifted the three-cornered, gold-bordered hat which shaded its face, nodding to her. “Do you recognize me, Wilhelmine?” he asked, in a sweet, melodious voice. “Yes,” she answered, her eyes still fixed upon him. “You are Cagliostro, the great ruler and magician.” “Where did we meet?” “I remember; it was in Paris, at the house of the governor of the Bastile, M. Delaunay. You caused me to read in a glass the future--a bright, glorious future. I was surrounded with splendor and magnificence. I saw myself glittering with gems; a king knelt at my feet. I was encircled by richly-attired courtiers, who bowed before me, and honored me, whispering: ‘We salute you, O beautiful countess; be gracious to us, exalted princess!’ It sounded like heavenly music, and I shouted with delight.” “Was that all?” said Cagliostro, solemnly, “that the crystal showed you.” Shuddering, she murmured: “The splendor, glory, and power vanished, and all was changed to a fearful picture. I saw myself in a plain, dark dress, in a deserted, lonely room, with iron-barred windows, and a small iron door closed in the dreary white walls--it was a prison! And I heard whispered around me: ‘Woe to you, fallen and dethroned one! You have wasted away the days of your splendor, submit in patience to the days of your shame and humiliation.’ I could not endure to behold it, and screamed with terror, fainting.” “You demanded to see the future, and I showed it to you,” said Cagliostro, earnestly. “Though I let the light shine into your soul, still it was dark within; you pursued the way of unbelief, and desired not to walk in the way of knowledge. I sent messengers twice to you to lead you in the right path, and you sent them laughing away. Recall what I told you in Paris. I will it!” “I remember, master; you said that in the most important days of my life you would come to me, and extend to me a helping hand: if I seized it, the first picture would be fulfilled; if I refused it, the prison awaited me!”