Page:Marquis de Sade - Adelaide of Brunswick.djvu/66

, and remember, but don't ask me any questions. I shall be too busy with my books to be able to answer."

Frederick and Mersburg fixed their eyes on the mirror and here is what they saw distinctly:

They first noticed a tower on the top of which was a sign which read: "She is here."

"Who?" asked the prince impetuously.

Nobody answered. Two individuals soon left the tower and they soon disappeared along with the tower. A moment later, a forest could be seen and along a road there were two armed horsemen who seemed to be following the two people who had left the tower.

Soon this scene was effaced by a cloud which covered the mirror and when the cloud had gone, a large chateau appeared in the depth of some woods. A horseman was following another man on horseback and succeeded in catching him and killed him. Then the conqueror got off the horse and gave his arm to a very tall woman.

Everything disappeared and the necromancer, closing his books, said to Frederick:

"You have just seen, Sir, a part of the events of your life. You probably already know all the causes, and since I cannot foresee the effects, it is impossible for me to present them to you. Study what you have just seen, and perhaps you will be able to prevent some of the things from hurting you. Since I have to undergo a terrific strain to present these things, I will now have to go to bed and I beg you to leave me."

The strange man was indeed all covered with sweat. Frederick, much impressed, offered the man some gold, but he refused it.

"There are certain secrets which cannot be paid for," he said to Frederick, "profit from what you have just seen. How happy men would be if they could read in the night of time as you have just done."

"But I didn't understand any of it," said Frederick.

"I know that, Sir, but one day these veils will be lifted, and you will be able to understand better. I wish I could tell you more, but it is impossible."