Page:Libussa, Duchess of Bohemia; also, The Man Without a Name.djvu/122

106 the secret sorrow by which he was oppressed; and the much-tormented martyr of love, being tired and sick of life, could not help at last confessing, under the promise of secrecy.

“Brother, is it nothing more?” said the exorciser, smiling, “thou shalt soon be freed of that trouble. Follow me to my lodging.”

They made many mysterious preparations, drew circles and characters upon the ground; and, on the call of the master, there appeared in the dark room, which was only a little lighted by the dull glimmer of a magic lamp, the midnight-ghost, although it was but noon. The exorciser reproached her severely for the mischief she had been guilty of, and assigned a hollow water-willow in a lonely valley, as her future abode, with the order to depart immediately for her rural residence.

The spirit disappeared; but at the same moment a storm and whirlwind arose, so strong, that the town was all in commotion. It is, however, a custom in the above town, that whenever a storm arises, twelve citizens mount their horses, and ride in solemn procession through the town, intonating a hymn of repentance, to charm away the wind. As soon as the twelve mounted and spurred apostles went out to silence