These important articles
obtained, the hidden secrets of nature would be at their command, and
their schemes and wishes might then be pursued with the certainty of
success. The night but one following, at the precise time when the moon
came to a trine aspect with Saturn and Jupiter, was appointed for the
discovery. The hour of Saturn commenced five minutes before midnight,
and the heavenly influences were then singularly disposed in favour of
their undertaking.
With dazzling anticipations of future prosperity and success they
separated: one to indulge in dreams so chimerical and vast that even
Fancy herself drew back, dazzled with her own brightness; the other to
an obscure lodging in the Old Millgate, where he committed himself to
the keeping of a straw pallet and a coverlet of which the rats had for
some time before held undisputed possession.
The night fixed upon for their search proved drizzling and misty.
Bartholomew, wrapped in a thick cloak, sallied out of a low postern
towards the college. The path was more dangerous and uneven than at
present, and many a grim witness of good-fellowship with his clay had
the red cloth hose of Master Bartholomew Hickman ere he arrived at the
arched doorway which admitted him into Dee's lodging.
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