only on the third day that he was enabled to withstand the temptations of the cupboard; but it was still a question whether he would hold out until the spell was broken.

“At a late hour of the night the party groped their way up the ravine by the light of a lantern, and bearing a basket with provisions for exorcising the demon of hunger so soon as the other demons should be laid in the Red Sea.

“The seal of Solomon opened their way into the tower.  They found the soldier seated on the enchanted strong-box, awaiting their arrival.  The exorcism was performed in due style.  The damsel advanced and touched the locks of the coffer with the seal of Solomon.  The lid flew open; and such treasures of gold and jewels and precious stones as flashed upon the eye!

     “‘Here’s cut and come again!’ cried the student, exultingly, as he
     proceeded to cram his pockets.

     “‘Fairly and softly,’ exclaimed the soldier.  ’Let us get the coffer
     out entire, and then divide.’

“They accordingly went to work with might and main; but it was a difficult task; the chest was enormously heavy, and had been imbedded there for centuries.  While they were thus employed the good dominie drew on one side and made a vigorous onslaught on the basket, by way of exorcising the demon of hunger which was raging in his entrails.  In a little while a fat capon was devoured, and washed down by a deep potation of Val de penas; and, by way of grace after meat, he gave a kind-hearted kiss to the pet-lamb who waited on him.  It was quietly done in a corner, but the tell-tale walls babbled it forth as if in triumph.  Never was chaste salute more awful in its effects.  At the sound the soldier gave a great cry of despair; the coffer, which was half raised, fell back in its place and was locked once more.  Priest, student, and damsel found themselves outside of the tower, the wall of which closed with a thundering jar.  Alas! the good padre had broken his fast too soon!

     “When recovered from his surprise, the student would have reentered
     the tower, but learnt to his dismay that the damsel, in her fright,
     had let fall the seal of Solomon; it remained within the vault.

“In a word, the cathedral bell tolled midnight; the spell was renewed; the soldier was doomed to mount guard for another hundred years, and there he and the treasure remain to this day—­and all because the kind-hearted padre kissed his handmaid.  ’Ah, father! father!’ said the student, shaking his head ruefully, as they returned down the ravine, ’I fear there was less of the saint than the sinner in that kiss!’

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