“An exceeding comfortable and gracious providence:  being preserved, I doubt not, from the evil ones,” said Bartholomew Hickman.  “But I would fain give you a sample of my skill, if so be that you will prepare the crystal, charging it with due care and attention.”

Then did the Doctor betake himself to the performance of sundry strange rites, consisting of many absurd forms and hard speeches, ever and anon ejaculating a fervent prayer for success, and a petition against doubt and deception.  He spread a fair carpet on the table, disposing the candlesticks on each side, and a little behind the crystal.  This was placed upon a cushion of black silk, a crucifix near, and the psalter before it, open at the service for the departed.  After a profound silence for about the space of half an hour, Dee looked towards his visitor as if expecting that he should begin.  The seer threw off his upper garment, and kneeling down, clad only in a short tunic of gray cloth, without ruff or belt, he betook himself, though with some agitation, to the repeating of a few short Latin prayers, intermingled with cabalistical jargon, and scraps of some unknown and uncouth tongue.  The Doctor gave special heed thereto, hearkening as though not over-credulous in the boasted skill of his visitor.  Presently the latter put his face close to the stone, binding it before his eyes with a white napkin, his head still resting on the table.  Dee asked him softly, “What seest thou?”

“Nothing,” said Bartholomew.

“Is the curtain not yet visible in the stone?”

“I cannot even see the curtain,” replied the seer; “for all is dark.”

Then Dee began to pray earnestly that some of his former friends might appear, whom he called by many outlandish names, such as Ave, Nalvage, Madini, and others.  Immediately Bartholomew cried out—­

“I see a glimmer!—­Soft!”

The Doctor scarcely durst breathe, fearing to interrupt the opening of the vision.

“I see a golden curtain, partly drawn aside.”

“The charge beginneth to work,” said Dee. “’Tis the very appearance that was always vouchsafed to Kelly ere the spirits showed themselves in the glass.  Note well what thou seest.”

“There appeareth a white cloud, as a curdly vapour wreathing itself about a pillar of burning brass, but no creature is visible.—­I hear a voice!”

“Mark the words and repeat them steadily,” said the Doctor, who drew nearer that he might hear the purport of the revelation.

“Sanctum signatum et ad tempus,” said the voice.

“The sense of this may be understood diversely.  By which sense may we be guided?” said Dee, as though speaking to some invisible thing within the glass.  Presently the seer again repeated—­

“’Sanctum, quia hoc velle suum; sigillatum, quid determinatum ad tempus;’ the voice ceaseth:—­but these be hard speeches, Master Dee.  I hear again, ’Ad tempus et ad tempus (inquam) quia rerum consummatio—­All things are at hand—­