attract me.  Every one thinks of his own advantage in this world.  You see that I at the same time am thoughtful of yours, since I reveal to you a new power.  Oh! this purse!—­had the moths already devoured your shadow, that would still constitute a strong bond between us.  Enough, you have me in my gold.  Should you have any commands, even when far off, for your servant, you know that I can show myself very active in the service of my friends, and the rich stand particularly well with me.  You have seen it yourself.  Only your shadow, sir—­allow me to tell you that—­never again, except on one sole condition.”

Forms of the past time swept before my soul.  I demanded hastily—­“Had you a signature from Mr. John?” He smiled.  “With so good a friend it was by no means necessary.”  “Where is he?  By God, I wish to know it!” He hesitatingly plunged his hand into his pocket, and, dragged thence by the hair, appeared Thomas John’s ghastly disfigured form, and the blue death-lips moved themselves with heavy words:  “Justo judicio Dei judicatus sum; justo judicio Dei condemnatus sum.”  I shuddered with horror, and dashing the ringing purse into the abyss, I spoke to him the last words—­“I adjure thee, horrible one, in the name of God, take thyself hence, and never again show thyself in my sight!”

He arose gloomily, and instantly vanished behind the masses of rock which bounded this wild, overgrown spot.

CHAPTER IX

I sat there without shadow and without money, but a heavy weight was taken from my bosom.  I was calm.  Had I not also lost my love, or had I in that loss felt myself free from blame, I believe that I should have been happy; but I knew not what I should do.  I examined my pockets; I found yet several gold pieces there; I counted them and laughed.  I had my horses below at the inn; I was ashamed of returning thither; I must, at least, wait till the sun was gone down; it stood yet high in the heavens.  I laid myself down in the shade of the nearest trees, and calmly fell asleep.

Lovely shapes blended themselves before me in charming dance into a pleasing dream.  Mina with a flower-wreath in her hair floated by me, and smiled kindly upon me.  The noble Bendel also was crowned with flowers, and went past with a friendly greeting.  I saw many besides, and I believe thee too, Chamisso, in the distant throng.  A bright light appeared, but no one had a shadow, and, what was stranger, it had by no means a bad effect.  Flowers and songs, love and joy, under groves of palm!  I could neither hold fast nor interpret the moving, lightly floating, lovable forms; but I knew that I dreamed such a dream with joy, and was careful to avoid waking.  I was already awake, but still kept my eyes closed in order to retain the fading apparition longer before my soul.