“What terms, senor?”

“The old terms, without which no wonder can be worked—­faith, absolute faith.”

Adrian hesitated a little.  Absolute faith seemed a large present to give a complete stranger at a first interview.

“I read your thought and I respect it,” went on the sage, who, to tell truth, was afraid he had ventured a little too far.  “There is no hurry; these affairs cannot be concluded in a day.”

Adrian admitted that they could not, but intimated that he would be glad of a little practical and immediate assistance.  The sage buried his face in his hands and thought.

“The first thing to do,” he said presently, “is to induce a favourable disposition of the maiden’s mind towards yourself, and this, I think, can best be brought about—­though the method is one which I do not often use—­by means of a love philtre carefully compounded to suit the circumstances of the case.  If you will come here to-morrow at dusk, the lady of this house—­a worthy woman, though rough of speech and no true adept—­will hand it to you.”

“It isn’t poisonous?” suggested Adrian doubtfully.

“Fool, do I deal in poisons?  It will poison the girl’s heart in your favour, that is all.”

“And how is it to be administered?” asked Adrian.

“In the water or the wine she drinks, and afterwards you must speak to her again as soon as possible.  Now that is settled,” he went on airily, “so, young friend, good-bye.”

“Are you sure that there is no fee?” hesitated Adrian.

“No, indeed,” answered the sage, “at any rate until all is accomplished.  Ah!” and he sighed, “did you but know what a delight it is to a weary and world-worn traveller to help forward the bright ambitions of youth, to assist the pure and soaring soul to find the mate destined to it by heaven—­ehem!—­you wouldn’t talk of fees.  Besides, I will be frank; from the moment that I entered this room and saw you, I recognised in you a kindred nature, one which under my guidance is capable of great things, of things greater than I care to tell.  Ah! what a vision do I see.  You, the husband of the beautiful Elsa and master of her great wealth, and I at your side guiding you with my wisdom and experience—­then what might not be achieved?  Dreams, doubtless dreams, though how often have my dreams been prophetic!  Still, forget them, and at least, young man, we will be friends,” and he stretched out his hand.

“With all my heart,” answered Adrian, taking those cool, agile-looking fingers.  “For years I have sought someone on whom I could rely, someone who would understand me as I feel you do.”

“Yes, yes,” sighed the sage, “I do indeed understand you.”