The Equinox (Volume I, Number IX)

THE EQUINOX “Say, rather, thanks to your faith and your docility. And now, farewell: I must work... Well, why do you assume this suppliant air, and what more do you want of me?” “Oh, if you only would——” “Well, what now? Have you not obtained all that you asked for, and even more than you asked for, for you did not mention money to me?” “Yes, doubtless,” said the other sighing; “ but I do want to see him again!” “Incorrigible!” said Eliphas. Some days afterwards, the Professor of Transcendental Magic was awakened, about two o'clock in the morning, by an acute pain in the head. For some moments he feared a cerebral congestion. He therefore rose, relit his lamp, opened his window, walked to and fro in his study, and then, calmed by the fresh air of the morning, he lay down again, and slept deeply. He had a nightmare: he saw, terribly real, the giant with the fleshless ox’s head of which the workman had spoken to him. The monster pursued him, and struggled with him. When he woke up, it was already day, and some- body was knocking at his door. Eliphas rose, threw on a dressing-gown, and opened ; it was the workman. “Master,” said he, entering hastily, and with an alarmed air; “how are you?” “Very well,” replied Eliphas. “But last night, at two o'clock in the morning, did you not run a great danger ?” Eliphas did not grasp the allusion; he already no longer remembered the indisposition of the night. 160