He took his leave of them late at night, full of this perplexity.  As he left the dreary old pile, he saw some one lurking in the shadow of the wall, apparently watching his movements.  He hastened after the figure, but it glided away, and disappeared among some ruins.  Shortly after he heard a low whistle, which was answered from a little distance.  He had no longer a doubt but that some mischief was on foot, and turned to hasten back to the tower, and put its inmates on their guard.  He had scarcely turned, however, before he found himself suddenly seized from behind by some one of Herculean strength.  His struggles were in vain; he was surrounded by armed men.  One threw a mantle over him that stifled his cries, and enveloped him in its folds; and he was hurried off with irresistible rapidity.

The next day passed without the appearance of Antonio at the alchymist’s.  Another, and another day succeeded, and yet he did not come; nor had any thing been heard of him at his lodgings.  His absence caused, at first, surprise and conjecture, and at length alarm.  Inez recollected the singular intimations of the ballad-singer upon the mountain, which seemed to warn her of impending danger, and her mind was full of vague forebodings.  She sat listening to every sound at the gate, or footstep on the stairs.  She would take up her guitar and strike a few notes, but it would not do; her heart was sickening with suspense and anxiety.  She had never before felt what it was to be really lonely.  She now was conscious of the force of that attachment which had taken possession of her breast; for never do we know how much we love, never do we know how necessary the object of our love is to our happiness, until we experience the weary void of separation.

The philosopher, too, felt the absence of his disciple almost as sensibly as did his daughter.  The animating buoyancy of the youth had inspired him with new ardour, and had given to his labours the charm of full companionship.  However, he had resources and consolations of which his daughter was destitute.  His pursuits were of a nature to occupy every thought, and keep the spirits in a state of continual excitement.  Certain indications, too, had lately manifested themselves, of the most favourable nature.  Forty days and forty nights had the process gone on successfully; the old man’s hopes were constantly rising, and he now considered the glorious moment once more at hand, when he should obtain not merely the major lunaria, but likewise the tinctura solaris, the means of multiplying gold, and of prolonging existence.  He remained, therefore, continually shut up in his laboratory, watching his furnace; for a moment’s inadvertency might once more defeat all his expectations.