rolls? They are the assignments of which I have spoken.
It would amaze thee to scan the subscriptions, and perceive in these the
signatures of men exemplary in the eyes of their fellows, clothed with high
dignities in Church and State--nay sometimes redolent of the very odour of
sanctity. Never hath my sagacity deceived me until this year, when, smitten
with the fair promise of a youth of singular impishness, I omitted to take
due note of his consumptive habit, and have but this afternoon encountered
his funeral. This is the last day of my year, and should my engagement be
unredeemed when the sun attains the cusp of that nethermost house of heaven
which he is even now traversing, I must become an inmate of the infernal
kingdom. No time has remained for nice investigation. I have therefore
proved the courage of the Venetian youth in the manner thou knowest, and
thou alone hast sustained the ordeal. Fail not at my bidding, or thou
quittest not this chamber alive. For when the Demon comes to bear me away,
he will assuredly rend thee in pieces for being found in my company. Thou
hast, therefore, everything to gain and nothing to lose by joining the
goodly fellowship of my mates and partners. Delay not, time urges, night
deepens, they that would drink thy blood are abroad. Hearest thou not the
moaning and pelting of the rising storm, and the muttering and scraping of
my imprisoned goblins? Save us, I entreat, I command, save us both!"

Screaming with agitation the aged sorcerer laid a scroll engrossed with
fairly written characters before the youth, stabbed the latter's arm with a
stylus that at once evoked and collected the crimson stream, thrust this
into his hand and strove to guide it to the parchment, chanting at the same
time litanies to the infernal powers. The crystal flagons rang like one
great harmonica with shrill but spirit-stirring music; volumes of vaporous
perfumes diffused themselves through the apartment, and an endless
procession of treasure-laden figures defiled before the bewildered youth.
He seemed buried in the opulence of the world, as he sat up to his waist in
gold and jewels; all the earth's beauty gazed at him through eyes brilliant
and countless as the stars of heaven; courtiers beckoned him to thrones;
battle-steeds neighed and pawed for his mounting; laden tables allured
every appetite; vassals bent in homage; slaves fell prostrate at his feet.
Now he seemed to collect or disperse legions of spiri