any which was ever seen,
excepting the sun of heaven itself, and it was generally believed that
Dannischemend made it an object of worship in the absence of that blessed
luminary. Nothing else was observed of him, unless that his morals seemed
severe, his gravity extreme, his general mode of life very temperate, and
his fasts and vigils of frequent recurrence. Except on particular
occasions, he spoke to no one of the castle but the baron.

"Winter was succeeded by spring, summer brought her flowers, and autumn
her fruits, which ripened and were fading, when a foot-page, who sometimes
attended them in the laboratory to render manual assistance when required,
heard the Persian say to the Baron of Arnheim, 'You will do well, my son,
to mark my words; for my lessons to you are drawing to an end, and there
is no power on earth which can longer postpone my fate.' 'Alas, my
master!' said the baron, 'and must I then lose the benefit of your
direction, just when your guiding hand becomes necessary to place me on
the very pinnacle of the temple of wisdom?' 'Be not discouraged, my son,'
answered the sage; 'I will bequeath the task of perfecting you in your
studies to my daughter, who will come hither on purpose. But remember, if
you value the permanence of your family, look not upon her as aught else
than a helpmate in your studies; for if you forget the instructress in the
beauty of the maiden, you will be buried with your sword and your shield,
as the last male of your house; and farther evil, believe me, will arise;
for such alliances never come to a happy issue, of which my own is an
example.--But, hush, we are observed.' The household of the castle of
Arnheim having but few things to interest them, were the more eager
observers of those which came under their notice; and when the termination
of the period when the Persian was to receive shelter in the castle began
to approach, some of the inmates, under various pretexts, but which
resolved into every terror, absconded,--while others held themselves in
expectation of some striking and terrible catastrophe. None such, however,
took place; and, on the expected anniversary, long ere the witching hour
of midnight, Dannischemend terminated his visit in the castle of Arnheim,
by riding away from the gate in the guise of an ordinary traveller.

"The baron had meantime taken leave of his tutor with many marks of
regret, and some which amounted even to sorrow. The sage Persian comforted