THE JASPER.                             211
	objects connected with death. This boy is the child of the Sexton of Lambeth Church, who is himself a godly man. Let us pray to God.' Upon this he knelt down again, and remained for some time engaged in silent prayer. He then rose, and directed the boy to look into the Crystal, saying, ' One of these gentlemen desires news of his wife.' The boy looked intently into the Crystal for some moments, and then said, speaking in a low and measured voice, ' I see a great room in which there is a bed, with rich hangings ; pendent from the ceiling is a silver lamp. A tall, dark man, with long hair, and a dagger in his belt, is bending over the bed, with a cup in his hand.' ' It is my wife's room,' said Eustace,"in a whisper, ' and it is, no doubt, the Italian ; he is tall, and dark.' The boy continued to look for some time into the Crystal, but said nothing ; then he turned to his master, and said, ' I can see nothing ; some one more near to this gentle­man must look! This other gentleman,' he said suddenly, and turning to John Inglesant, ' if he looks he will be able to see.' The Astrologer started: ' Ah ! ' he said ; ' Why do you say that, boy ? ' ' I can tell who will see aught in the Crystal, and who will not,' replied the boy. The Astrologer seemed surprised, and sceptical, but he made a sign to John Inglesant to rise from his knees, and to take his place by the Crystal. He did so, and looked steadily into it for some seconds, then he shook his head. ' I can see nothing,' he said. ' Nothing ? ' asked the boy, ' can you see nothing ? ' ' No ; I see only clouds and mist.' ' You have been engaged,' said the boy, ' in something that was not good ; something that was not true ; and it has dimmed the Crystal sight. Look