The professor's mind ran, in an instant, through all the intermediate degrees from incredulity to the fullest conviction; he looked for his hat, and would willingly have returned home, but the multitudes that thronged the streets rendered it impossible. The new visitors had, in the mean time, effected the objects of their casual visit; after some inquiries, they withdrew in perfect order, leaving the town to rest again. The people, nevertheless, still continued to roam through the streets in crowds; and the counsellor, who had been repeatedly required during the event, was glad he happened to be at home so opportunely.

'There,” said he, as they were assembled together again at his house discussing the circumstance," there we have another proof of the power of foreboding, and one indeed which we have experienced ourselves, not heard by tradition. What will now become of your incredulity?"

“I am totally vanquished,” said the professor, wringing his hands comically. "Your lady, counsellor, has quite converted me: henceforth I will believe in forebodings, ghosts, spectres, warnings, and whatever you

would have me believe in."

At least,” said the lady, smiling, “you will have some respect for the secret powers of my mind; and if you do not wish to forget them, you will fulfil my prophecy, which is that you will remain our guest during the present evening."

VOL. I.

66

The professor bowed acquiescence, and requested that he might exhibit the casket containing the antiquities which he had been about to show to the company when the fears of the counsellor's lady had deprived him of their society. A messenger was dispatched to his house, and in a short time returned with it. Behold," said the antiquary, after he had shown many rare and curious things, "behold my greatest treasure! this beautiful old vase, which, as I shall prove to you, has most probably been an ancient relic of a cloister, and is unquestionably of inestimable worth. The form is almost Grecian; I think nothing more beautiful, and at the same time more simple, can be imagined. Unfortunately one of the handles is injured; but this injury has enabled me to come to a most important conclusion concerning it. Under the broken I believe it unique in its kind.

and

handle an inscription is yet visible, that coincides remarkably with the place where this vase was found. It had been walled up in an ancient convent most carefully. This convent formerly possessed many relics, and these were discovered some years ago on the destruction of the pile; among them was this vase; and its existence was probably unknown, latterly, even to the monks Now themselves, for it was hid in a niche of the wall. you must know that this is neither more nor less than an ancient model of the holy and celebrated graal* of our

*The vessel out of which the last Passover was eaten. See the omance of Sir Lancelot du Lac for his adventures in search of it.