one,
and a plain lay where it had been. There he saw the knights of King
Arthur's Table jousting. Beautiful ladies sat and watched the
struggle, and one more fair than all held the prizes the knights might
win.

Then the figures of the knights began to grow dim and uncertain. The
plain changed into a great hall where knights and ladies danced.
Everything was bright and sparkling. Mirrors lined the walls, and
their cut edges flashed back the light that fell on them. As Aurelius
watched the dance, he started. There, before him, more beautiful than
ever, was Dorigen. His heart gave a great leap, for, as he watched
her, he saw that she no longer wore her jewel. In his delight he
swayed to the music of the dance. Clap! clap! went the Magician's
hands, and all was gone.

The great room that had seemed so splendid to Aurelius when he entered
it, looked cold and plain now when he returned to it from fairyland.

The Magician called his servant and asked for supper. Then he led the
brothers away and feasted them royally.

After supper the three men began to talk about what the Magician
should get from Aurelius if he made the rocks vanish. The Magician
said, "I cannot take less than a thousand pounds, and I am not sure if
I can do it for that!" Aurelius was too delighted to bargain about
what the cost would be. He said gladly: "What is a thousand pounds? I
would give thee the whole round world, if I were lord of it. The
bargain is made. Thou shalt be paid in full. But do not delay. Let us
start to-morrow morning without fail."

"Thou mayest count on me to-morrow," said the Magician.

They went to bed, and Aurelius slept soundly and well; because of the
hope he had that the Magician would make the rocks vanish.

Next morning they rose early. It was Christmas time, and the air was
cold and frosty as they rode away. The very sunlight was pale, and the
trees were bare. When they reached home the neighbors gathered round
and wished them a Merry Christmas. "Noel, Noel," they said, but they
would not have done so had they known what sorrow the riders brought
to their beautiful lady Dorigen.

For many days the Magician worked with his maps and figures. Aurelius
waited impatiently. There was nothing for him to do except to make the
Magician as comfortable as he could, and to show him as much kindness
as possible.

One morning Aurelius looked from his window towards the sea. He saw
the Magician standing on the shore. As Aurelius