beneath the knees; above them he wore hose, and a doublet of dark
crimson silk close to his body; and over that a flowing loose
robe, something resembling a surplice, of snow-white linen. His
throat and neck were uncovered, and his long, straight, black
hair was carefully combed down at full length.

As the ladies approached at his bidding, he showed no gesture of
that ceremonious courtesy of which he had been formerly lavish.
On the contrary, he made the signal of advance with an air of
command; and when, arm in arm, and with insecure steps, the
sisters approached the spot where he stood, it was with a warning
frown that he pressed his finger to his lips, as if reiterating
his condition of absolute silence, while, stalking before them,
he led the way into the next apartment.

This was a large room, hung with black, as if for a funeral. At
the upper end was a table, or rather a species of altar, covered
with the same lugubrious colour, on which lay divers objects
resembling the usual implements of sorcery. These objects were
not indeed visible as they advanced into the apartment; for the
light which displayed them, being only that of two expiring
lamps, was extremely faint. The master--to use the Italian
phrase for persons of this description--approached the upper end
of the room, with a genuflection like that of a Catholic to the
crucifix, and at the same time crossed himself. The ladies
followed in silence, and arm in arm. Two or three low broad
steps led to a platform in front of the altar, or what resembled
such. Here the sage took his stand, and placed the ladies beside
him, once more earnestly repeating by signs his injunctions of
silence. The Italian then, extending his bare arm from under his