to see first that we were alone.  Hereupon, I began to declare how all my lifetime had been spent in learning, and with great pains and cost I had come to the best knowledge that man might attain to in this world.  I had found, too, that no man living, neither any book, was able to teach me those truths that I desired and longed for.  Therefore I concluded within myself to make intercession and prayer to the Giver of all wisdom to send unto me knowledge, whereby I might know the nature of His creatures, and also enjoy means to use them to His honour and glory.  At length it pleased God to send me His light—­the angel Uriel, whereby I was assured of His merciful and gracious answer.  For the space of two years and a half, as I told his Majesty, angels had not ceased to minister unto me through this wonderful stone, whose history I related.  Furthermore, I said that I had a message from them unto his, Majesty.  ‘The angel of the Lord hath appeared unto me,’ I cried, ’and hath rebuked you for your sins; if you will hear, and believe me, you shall triumph; if you will not hear, the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, under whom you breathe and have your being, putteth His foot against your breast, and will throw you headlong from your seat.’  Moreover, I said that if he would listen to me, and take me for his counsellor, his kingdom should be established, so that there would be none like unto it throughout the world.  I was commanded, likewise, to show him the nature of the holy vision, and the manner thereof, which he might witness, and hear the words, though he could not see the fashion of the creatures in the glass.  He thanked me, and said that he would thenceforward take me to his recommendation and care.  Some more promises he used, though I could not well understand them, he spake so low.  Perceiving, now, that he wished to make an end for this time, I made my obeisance and departed.  But mark the favour of princes!—­through the cabals of some, and the intrigues of his favourite and physician, one Doctor Curtz, who was fearful of my displacing him,—­in the end I was not only prevented from further access to his Majesty, but banished the empire!  Go to, go to,” said Dee, much troubled at these thoughts, “I am something too much affected of these vain impressions, and the pomp of these earthly ones.”

He arose, lifting an ebony cabinet on the table, which he unlocked with great solemnity.  During this operation he fell to muttering many prayers; and with an air of great reverence he took out a richly-embossed casket, which being opened, there was displayed a fair crystal of an egg-shaped form, on which he gazed with a long and silent delight.

“A treasure beyond all price,” said Bartholomew, eyeing it with rapture.