y others equally remarkable. For eighteen months I
was the servant--and slave of him who conferred upon me this fatal
boon----"

"At what price, then, have you purchased it?" asked Agnes, with a cold
shudder.

"Seek not to learn my secret, girl!" cried Wagner, almost sternly; then,
in a milder tone, he added, "By all you deem holy and sacred, I conjure
you, Agnes, never again to question me on that head! I have told thee as
much as it is necessary for thee to know----"

"One word--only one word!" exclaimed Agnes in an imploring voice. "Hast
thou bartered thine immortal soul----"

"No--no!" responded Wagner, emphatically. "My fate is terrible
indeed--but I am not beyond the pale of salvation. See! Agnes--I kiss
the crucifix--the symbol of faith and hope!"

And, as he uttered these words, he pressed to his lips an ivory crucifix
of exquisite workmanship, which he took from the table.

"The Virgin be thanked that my fearful suspicion should prove
unfounded!" ejaculated Agnes.

"Yes--I am not altogether lost," answered Wagner. "But _he_--the unhappy
man who made me what I am---- And yet I dare not say more," he added,
suddenly checking himself. "For one year and a half did I follow him as
his servitor--profiting by his knowledge--gaining varied information
from his experience--passing with the rapidity of thought from clime to
clime--surveying scenes of ineffable bliss, and studying all the
varieties of misery that fall to the lot of human nature. When he--my
master--passed away----"

"On the 1st of August, 1517," observed Agnes, quoting from the
inscription beneath the portrait of the individual alluded to.

"Yes; when he passed away," continued Wagner, "I continued my wanderings
alone until the commencement of last year, when I settled myself in
Florence. The mansion to which I have brought you is mine. It is in a
somewhat secluded spot on the banks of the Arno, and is surrounded by
gardens. My household consists of but few retainers; and they are
elderly persons--docile and obedient. The moment that I entered this
abode, I set to work to paint those portraits to which I have directed
your attention--likewise these pictures," he added, glancing around,
"and in which I have represented scenes that my own eyes have witnessed.
Here, henceforth, Agnes, shalt thou dwell; and let the past be
forgotten. But there are three conditions which I must impose upon
thee."

"Name them," said Agnes; "I promise obedience befo