"Fortunatus's purse!" cried I; and, great as was my mental anguish, with
that one word he had penetrated the deepest recesses of my soul. A
feeling of giddiness came over me, and double ducats glittered before
my eyes.

"Be pleased, gracious sir, to examine this purse, and make a trial of
its contents." He put his hand in his pocket, and drew forth a large
strongly stitched bag of stout Cordovan leather, with a couple of
strings to match, and presented it to me. I seized it--took out ten
gold-pieces, then ten more, and this I repeated again and again.
Instantly I held out my hand to him. "Done," said I; "the bargain is
made: my shadow for the purse." "Agreed," he answered; and, immediately
kneeling down, I beheld him, with extraordinary dexterity, gently loosen
my shadow from the grass, lift it up, fold it together, and, at last,
put it his pocket. He then rose, bowed once more to me, and directed his
steps towards the rose bushes. I fancied I heard him quietly laughing
to himself. However, I held the purse fast by the two strings. The earth
was basking beneath the brightness of the sun; but I presently lost all
consciousness.

On recovering my senses, I hastened to quit a place where I hoped there
was nothing further to detain me. I first filled my pockets with gold,
then fastened the strings of the purse round my neck, and concealed it
in my bosom. I passed unnoticed out of the park, gained the high-road,
and took the way to the town. As I was thoughtfully approaching the
gate, I heard some one behind me exclaiming: "Young man! young man! you
have lost your shadow!" I turned, and perceived an old woman calling
after me. "Thank you, my good woman," said I; and throwing her a piece
of gold for her well-intended information, I stepped under the trees.
At the gate, again, it was my fate to hear the sentry inquiring where