Thou art here, who hast been announced to me. Thou art the master, and my master Schrepfer was the prophet, who preceded thee and prophesied thee. Thou art the great Kophta--thou art Count Alexander Cagliostro!' As I uttered the name, the lights were extinguished, deep darkness and profound stillness reigned. The two countesses Dorothea von Medem and her sister, Eliza von der Necke, clung trembling to me, neither of them daring to break the silence even with a sigh. Suddenly the darkness disappeared, and, with trembling flashes of light, there stood written on the wall: 'Memento Domini Oagliostro et omnis mansuetudinis ejus.' We sank upon our knees, and implored thee to aid us. By degrees the strange, secret characters disappeared, and darkness and silence reigned. The stillness disquieted me at last, and I called for lights. As the servant entered, the two countesses lay fainting upon the floor, and thou hadst disappeared.""Only to appear to thee at another time," said Cagliostro, "to receive thee with solemn ceremonies into the magic circle--to initiate thee in the secret wisdom of spirits, and prepare thee for the invisible lodge. Recall what I said to thee, three days since, in Dresden. Do you still remember it?""I recall it. Thou saidst: 'The secret service calls me to Mittau, with the Countess Medem, to raise hidden treasure, of which the spirit has given me knowledge, and decipher important magical characters on the walls of a cloister. Before I leave, I will lead thee upon the way which thou hast to follow in order to find the light, and let it illuminate the soul which is worthy. Follow me, and I will lead thee to the path of glory, power, and immortality.'
These were thy words, master."
"I have now led thee hither," Cagliostro said to him, gently; "thy soul doubts and trembles, for thou art blind seeing eyes, and deaf with hearing ears.""My soul doubts not, oh master--it comprehends not. I have followed thee, devotedly and believingly. Thou knowest it, master, for thou readest the souls of thy children, and seest their hidden thoughts.
Thou hast said to me in Dresden, 'Renounce your service to the Duke of Courland.' I did it, and from equerry and lord chamberlain to the duke, became a ******, private gentleman. I have renounced my titles and dignities for thee, in happy trust in thee. My future lies in thy hands, and, anxious to learn the mysteries of immortality, as a grateful, trustful scholar, I would receive happiness and unhappiness at thy hand.""Thou shalt receive not only happiness," said Cagliostro, solemnly, "but thou art one of the elect. The blue flame glows upon thy brow, it will illuminate thy soul, and lead thee to the path of glory, power, and might. To-day thou art a ******, private gentleman, as thou sayst, but to-morrow thou wilt become a distinguished lord, before whom hundreds will bow. Fame awaits thee--which thou hast longed for--as power awaits thee. Whom have I named to thee as our future and our hope in this land?""Prince Frederick William of Prussia," answered Herr von Bischofswerder, humbly.
"As I spake this name, thou trembledst, and calledst him 'one lost in sin.' Knowest thou, my son, from sin comes penitence, and from penitence elevation and purificatiom. Thou art called and chosen to convert sinners, and lead back the earth-born child to heaven.
Engrave these words upon thy memory, fill thy soul with them, as with glowing flames, repeat them in solitude the entire day, then heavenly spirits will arise and whisper the revelations of the future. Then, when thou art consecrated, I will introduce thee into the sacred halls of sublime wisdom. Thou shalt be received as a scholar in the temple hall, and it depends upon thee whether thou advancest to the altar which reaches to the invisible world of miracles.""Oh, master," cried Bisehofswerder, with a countenance beaming with joy, and sinking upon his knees, "wilt thou favor me, and introduce me to the temple hall? Shall I be received in the sacred world of spirits?""Thou shalt, Hans Rudolph yon Bischofswerder. The grand master of our order will bestow upon thee this happiness, and to-night shall the star of the future rise over thee. Hold thyself in readiness. At midnight, present thyself at the first portal of the royal palace in Berlin. A man will meet thee, and thou shalt ask, 'Who is our hope?'
If he answers thee, 'The Prince of Prussia,' then he is the messenger which I shall have sent thee--follow him. Bow thy head in humility, shut thine eyes to all earthly things, turn thy thoughts inward, and lift them up to the great departed, which hovers over thy head, and speak with the blue flame which glows upon thy brow!"Bischofswerder bowed still lower, covered his face with his hands, as if inwardly praying, and knelt. Cagliostro bent over him, laid his hand upon his head, breathing three times upon his blond hair.
"I have breathed upon thee with the breath of my spirit," said he.
"Thy spirit receives power. Receive it in holy awe, in devotion, and remain immovable."Bischofswerder continued motionless, with bowed head and concealed face. Cagliostro raised himself, his black eyes fixed upon his disciple, and noiselessly disappeared. Herr von Bischofswerder still remained kneeling. After some time he raised his head, shyly looking about, and, as he found himself alone, he rose. "He has soared away," he murmured, softly. "I shall see him again, and he will consecrate me--the consecration of immortals!"
