This was a large room, hung with black, as if for a funeral. At
the upper end was a table, or rather a species of altar, covered
with the same lugubrious colour, on which lay divers objects
resembling the usual implements of sorcery. These objects were
not indeed visible as they advanced into the apartment; for the
light which displayed them, being only that of two expiring
lamps, was extremely faint. The master--to use the Italian
phrase for persons of this description--approached the upper end
of the room, with a genuflection like that of a Catholic to the
crucifix, and at the same time crossed himself. The ladies
followed in silence, and arm in arm. Two or three low broad
steps led to a platform in front of the altar, or what resembled
such. Here the sage took his stand, and placed the ladies beside
him, once more earnestly repeating by signs his injunctions of
silence. The Italian then, extending his bare arm from under his
linen vestment, pointed with his forefinger to five large
flambeaux, or torches, placed on each side of the altar. They
took fire successively at the approach of his hand, or rather of
his finger, and spread a strong light through the room. By this
the visitors could discern that, on the seeming altar, were
disposed two naked swords laid crosswise; a large open book,
which they conceived to be a copy of the Holy Scriptures, but in
a language to them unknown; and beside this mysterious volume was
placed a human skull.
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