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into my secrets。
One Evening I was lying upon my Sopha； plunged in reflections
very far from agreeable： Theodore amused himself by observing
from the window a Battle between two Postillions； who were
quarrelling in the Inn…yard。
'Ha！ Ha！' cried He suddenly； 'Yonder is the Great Mogul。'
'Who？' said I。
'Only a Man who made me a strange speech at Munich。'
'What was the purport of it？'
'Now you put me in mind of it； Segnor； it was a kind of message
to you； but truly it was not worth delivering。 I believe the
Fellow to be mad； for my part。 When I came to Munich in search
of you； I found him living at 'The King of the Romans；' and the
Host gave me an odd account of him。 By his accent He is supposed
to be a Foreigner； but of what Country nobody can tell。 He
seemed to have no acquaintance in the Town； spoke very seldom；
and never was seen to smile。 He had neither Servants or Baggage；
But his Purse seemed well…furnished； and He did much good in the
Town。 Some supposed him to be an Arabian Astrologer； Others to
be a Travelling Mountebank； and many declared that He was Doctor
Faustus； whom the Devil had sent back to Germany。 The Landlord；
however told me； that He had the best reasons to believe him to
be the Great Mogul incognito。'
'But the strange speech； Theodore。'
'True； I had almost forgotten the speech： Indeed for that
matter； it would not have been a great loss if I had forgotten
it altogether。 You are to know； Segnor； that while I was
enquiring about you of the Landlord； this Stranger passed by。 He
stopped； and looked at me earnestly。 'Youth！' said He in a solemn
voice； 'He whom you seek； has found that which He would fain
lose。 My hand alone can dry up the blood： Bid your Master wish
for me when the Clock strikes； 'One。'
'How？' cried I； starting from my Sopha。 （The words which
Theodore had repeated； seemed to imply the Stranger's knowledge
of my secret） 'Fly to him； my Boy！ Entreat him to grant me one
moment's conversation！'
Theodore was surprised at the vivacity of my manner： However； He
asked no questions； but hastened to obey me。 I waited his return
impatiently。 But a short space of time had elapsed when He again
appeared and ushered the expected Guest into my chamber。 He was
a Man of majestic presence： His countenance was strongly marked；
and his eyes were large； black； and sparkling： Yet there was a
something in his look which； the moment that I saw him； inspired
me with a secret awe； not to say horror。 He was drest plainly；
his hair was unpowdered； and a band of black velvet which
encircled his forehead spread over his features an additional
gloom。 His countenance wore the marks of profound melancholy；
his step was slow； and his manner grave； stately； and solemn。
He saluted me with politeness； and having replied to the usual
compliments of introduction； He motioned to Theodore to quit the
chamber。 The Page instantly withdrew。
'I know your business；' said He； without giving me time to speak。
'I have the power of releasing you from your nightly Visitor； But
this cannot be done before Sunday。 On the hour when the Sabbath
Morning breaks； Spirits of darkness have least influence over
Mortals。 After Saturday the Nun shall visit you no more。'
'May I not enquire；' said I； 'by what means you are in possession
of a secret which I have carefully concealed from the knowledge
of everyone？'
'How can I be ignorant of your distress； when their cause at this
moment stands beside you？'
I started。 The Stranger continued。
'Though to you only visible for one hour in the twenty…four；
neither day or night does She ever quit you； Nor will She ever
quit you till you have granted her request。'
'And what is that request？'
'That She must herself explain： It lies not in my knowledge。
Wait with patience for the night of Saturday： All shall be then
cleared up。'
I dared not press him further。 He soon after changed the
conversation and talked of various matters。 He named People who
had ceased to exist for many Centuries； and yet with whom He
appeared to have been personally acquainted。 I could not mention
a Country however distant which He had not visited； nor could I
sufficiently admire the extent and variety of his information。
I remarked to him that having travelled； seen； and known so much；
must have given him infinite pleasure。 He shook his head
mournfully。
'No one；' He replied； 'is adequate to comprehending the misery of
my lot！ Fate obliges me to be constantly in movement： I am not
permitted to pass more than a fortnight in the same place。 I
have no Friend in the world； and from the restlessness of my
destiny I never can acquire one。 Fain would I lay down my
miserable life； for I envy those who enjoy the quiet of the
Grave： But Death eludes me； and flies from my embrace。 In vain
do I throw myself in the way of danger。 I plunge into the Ocean；
The Waves throw me back with abhorrence upon the shore： I rush
into fire； The flames recoil at my approach： I oppose myself to
the fury of Banditti； Their swords become blunted； and break
against my breast： The hungry Tiger shudders at my approach； and
the Alligator flies from a Monster more horrible than itself。
God has set his seal upon me； and all his Creatures respect this
fatal mark！'
He put his hand to the velvet； which was bound round his
forehead。 There was in his eyes an expression of fury； despair；
and malevolence； that struck horror to my very soul。 An
involuntary convulsion made me shudder。 The Stranger perceived
it。
'Such is the curse imposed on me；' he continued： 'I am doomed to
inspire all who look on me with terror and detestation。 You
already feel the influence of the charm； and with every
succeeding moment will feel it more。 I will not add to your
sufferings by my presence。 Farewell till Saturday。 As soon as
the Clock strikes twelve； expect me at your chamber door。'
Having said this He departed； leaving me in astonishment at the
mysterious turn of his manner and conversation。
His assurances that I should soon be relieved from the
Apparition's visits produced a good effect upon my constitution。
Theodore； whom I rather treated as an adopted Child than a
Domestic； was surprized at his return to observe the amendment in
my looks。 He congratulated me on this symptom of returning
health； and declared himself delighted at my having received so
much benefit from my conference with the Great Mogul。 Upon
enquiry I found that the Stranger had already past eight days in
Ratisbon： According to his own account； therefore； He was only
to remain there six days longer。 Saturday was still at the
distance of Three。 Oh！ with what impatience did I expect its
arrival！ In the interim； the Bleeding Nun continued her
nocturnal visits； But hoping soon to be released from them
altogether； the effects which they produced on me became less
violent than before。
The wished…for night arrived。 To avoid creating suspicion I
retired to bed at my usual hour： But as soon as my Attendants
had left me； I dressed myself again； and prepared for the
Stranger's reception。 He entered my room upon the turn of
midnight。 A small Chest was in his hand； which He placed near
the Stove。 He saluted me without speaking； I returned the
compliment； observing an equal silence。 He then opened his
Chest。 The first thing which He produced was a small wooden
Crucifix： He sank upon his knees； gazed upon it mournfully； and
cast his eyes towards heaven。 He seemed to be praying devoutly。
At length He bowed his head respectfully； kissed the Crucifix
thrice； and quitted his kneeling posture。 He next drew from the
Chest a covered Goblet： With the liquor which it contained； and
which appeared to be blood； He sprinkled the floor； and then
dipping in it one end of the Crucifix； He described a circle in
the middle of the room。 Round about this He placed various
reliques； sculls； thigh…bones &c； I observed； that He disposed
them all in the forms of Crosses。 Lastly He took out a large
Bible； and beckoned me to follow him into the Circle。 I obeyed。
'Be cautious not to utter a syllable！' whispered the Stranger；
'S