ons, the astrologer looked
grave, and shook his head at this relaxation of attention; yet, on the
whole, he was pleased with the youth's replies. At sunset the young man
was made to take the bath; and, having done so, he was directed to
attire himself in a robe, somewhat like that worn by Armenians, having
his long hair combed down on his shoulders, and his neck, hands, and
feet bare. In this guise he was conducted into a remote chamber totally
devoid of furniture, excepting a lamp, a chair, and a table, on which
lay a Bible. "Here," said the astrologer, "I must leave you alone, to
pass the most critical period of your life. If you can, by recollection
of the great truths of which we have spoken, repel the attacks which
will be made on your courage and your principles, you have nothing to
apprehend. But the trial will be severe and arduous." His features then
assumed a pathetic solemnity, the tears stood in his eyes, and his voice
faltered with emotion as he said, "Dear child, at whose coming into the
world I foresaw this fatal trial, may God give thee grace to support it
with firmness!" The young man was left alone; and hardly did he find
himself so, when, like a swarm of demons, the recollection of all his
sins of omission and commission, rendered even more terrible by the
scrupulousness with which he had been educated, rushed on his mind, and,
like furies armed with fiery scourges, seemed determined to drive him to
despair. As he combated these horrible recollections with distracted
feelings, but with a resolved mind, he became aware that his arguments
were answered by the sophistry of another, and that the dispute was no
longer confined to his own thoughts. The Author of Evil was present in
the room with him in bodily shape, and, potent with spirits of a
melancholy cast, was impressing upon him the desperation of his state,
and urging suicide as the readiest mode to put an end to his sinful
career. Amid his errors, the pleasure he had taken in prolonging his
journey unnecessarily, and the attention which he had bestowed on the
beauty of the fair female, when his thoughts ought to have been
dedicated to the religious discourse of her father, were set before him
in the darkest colours; and he was treated as one who, having sinned
against light, was, therefore, deservedly left a prey to the Prince of
Darkness. As the fated and influential hour rolled on, the terrors of
the hateful Presence grew more confounding to the mo