and had unluckily, for himself, been deceived by the evil spirits, with whom he was tampering, so that in ascending the gondola, he did not even recognize the enchanted beast, as oftentimes indeed, happens to such practitioners in the black arts before attaining their end. Others again wished to infer that the magician had only assumed the strange ancient-looking form in which he appeared, and was in reality a very handsome young man, deeply smitten with a passion for the lovely consort of the Doge. That moreover he had sent the huge elephantine rower before him, in order to assist in the abduction of the noble duchess, or at all events to stir up some wild insurrection in the city, and in the state council of the Republic, favourable to his views. As it has been stated, however, he, in this instance, fell a victim to his own want of foresight in directing the potency of his own fatal arts.
“Hence we may learn . . . . .
Just at these words Margery was interrupted by a tremendous bustle in the street. She cast an anxious glance towards the windows, and at length whispered, “Ah, grandfather; I fear the young gentlemen students are eyen more wild than usual to-day!”
“It is only according to custom,” said the old man with a smile; “and birds of one feather will flock together, as the saying goes. So give no more
4
