something out of his pocket), and we will enter the ranger's
garden unseen."

I must confess that I felt excessively ashamed to be thus laughed at by
the grey stranger. I detested him from the very bottom of my soul; and
I really believe this personal antipathy, more than principle or
previously formed opinion, restrained me from purchasing my shadow,
much as I stood in need of it, at such an expense. Besides, the thought
was insupportable, of making this proposed visit in his society. To
behold this hateful sneak, this mocking fiend, place himself between me
and my beloved, between our torn and bleeding hearts, was too revolting
an idea to be entertained for a moment.

I considered the past as irrevocable, my own misery as inevitable; and
turning to the grey man, I said, "I have exchanged my shadow for this
very extraordinary purse, and I have sufficiently repented it. For
Heaven's sake, let the transaction be declared null and void!"

He shook his head; and his countenance assumed an expression of the
most sinister cast.

I continued, "I will make no exchange whatever, even for the sake of my
shadow, nor will I sign the paper. It follows, also, that the incognito
visit you propose to me would afford you far more entertainment than it
could possibly give me. Accept my excuses, therefore; and, since it
must be so, let us part."

"I am sorry, Mr. Schlemihl, that you thus obstinately persist in
rejecting my friendly offer. Perhaps, another time, I may be more
fortunate. Farewell! May we shortly meet again! But, allow me to shew
you that I do not undervalue my purchase, but preserve it carefully."

So saying, he drew my shadow out of his pocket; and shaking it cleverly
out of its folds, he stretched it out at his feet in the sun--so that
he stood between two obedient shadows, his own and mine, which was
compelled to follow and comply with his every movement.

On again beholding my poor shadow after so long a separation, and
seeing it degraded to so vile a bondage at the very time that I was so
unspeakably in want of it, my heart was ready to burst; and I wept
bitterly. The detested wretch stood exulting over his prey, and
unblushingly renewed his proposal.

"One stroke of the pen, and the unhappy Minna is rescued from the
clutches of the villain Rascal, and transferred to the arms of the
high-born Count Peter--merely a stroke of your pen!"

My tears broke out with renewed violence; but I turned away from him,
an