ot, bishop, archbishop,
cardinal, he was ultimately enthroned Pope on April 2, 999, and
assumed the appellation of Silvester the Second. It was then a general
belief that the world would come to an end in the following year, a
catastrophe which to many seemed the more imminent from the election
of a chief pastor whose celebrity as a theologian, though not
inconsiderable, by no means equalled his reputation as a necromancer.

The world, notwithstanding, revolved scatheless through the dreaded
twelvemonth, and early in the first year of the eleventh century
Gerbert was sitting peacefully in his study, perusing a book of magic.
Volumes of algebra, astrology, alchemy, Aristotelian philosophy, and
other such light reading filled his bookcase; and on a table stood an
improved clock of his invention, next to his introduction of the
Arabic numerals his chief legacy to posterity. Suddenly a sound of
wings was heard, and Lucifer stood by his side.

"It is a long time," said the fiend, "since I have had the pleasure of
seeing you. I have now called to remind you of our little contract,
concluded this day forty years."

"You remember," said Silvester, "that you are not to ask anything
exceeding my power to perform."

"I have no such intention," said Lucifer. "On the contrary, I am about
to solicit a favour which can be bestowed by you alone. You are Pope,
I desire that you would make me a Cardinal."

"In the expectation, I presume," returned Gerbert, "of becoming Pope
on the next vacancy."

"An expectation," replied Lucifer, "which I may most reasonably
entertain, considering my enormous wealth, my proficiency in intrigue,
and the present condition of the Sacred College."

"You would doubtless," said Gerbert, "endeavour to subvert the
foundations of the Faith, and, by a course of profligacy and
licentiousness, render the Holy See odious and contemptible."

"On the contrary," said the fiend, "I would extirpate heresy, and all
learning and knowledge as inevitably tending thereunto. I would suffer
no man to read but the priest, and confine his reading to his
breviary. I would burn your books together with your bones on the
first convenient opportunity. I would observe an austere propriety of
conduct, and be especially careful not to loosen one rivet in the
tremendous yoke I was forging for the minds and consciences of
mankind."

"If it be so," said Gerbert, "let's be off!"

"What!" exclaimed Lucifer, "you are willing to a