ight, 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!"

"I have kept my word: to-day is an eventful day in your life; you have
risen from want and degradation--you have mounted the first rounds of
the ladder of your greatness and power. You are the mistress of this
house." "How did you know it?" asked Wilhelmine, astonished. With a
pitying smile he answered: "I know every thing that I will, and I
see many things that I would willingly close my eyes upon. I see your
future, and my soul pities you, unhappy one; you are lost if you do not
seize the hand extended to you. You see not the abyss which opens before
you, and you will fall bleeding and with broken limbs."

"Mercy, mercy!" she groaned--"stretch out your hand and protect me."
Wilhelmine sank as if crushed to the earth. Cagliostro bent over her,
and stroked her cold, pale face, breathing upon her the hot breath of
his lips. "I will pity you--I will protect you. Rise, my da