But the wizard trembled still; and Antonio, casting a pitiful glance on him, rose to depart. But on the instant as he moved, there came a sudden loud knocking at the door of the house, and he stood still. The wizard lifted his head to listen.
"Have you had warning of more visitors to-night?" asked Antonio.
"I know not what happens to-night," muttered the wizard. "My power is gone to-night."
The knocking at the door came again, loud and impatient.
"They will beat the door down if you do not open," said Antonio. "I will hide myself here behind the mirror; for I cannot pass them without being seen; and if I am seen here, it is like enough that the mirror will be proved right both for you and me."
So Antonio hid himself, crouching down behind the mirror; and the wizard, having lit a small dim lamp, went on trembling feet to the door. And presently he came back, followed by two men whose faces were hid in their cloaks. One of them sat down, but the other stood and flung his cloak back over his shoulders; and Antonio, observing him from behind the mirror, saw that he was Lorenzo, the Duke's favourite.
Then Lorenzo spoke to the wizard saying, "Why did you not come sooner to open the door?"
"There was one here with me," said the wizard, whose air had become again composed.
"And is he gone? For we would be alone."
"He is not to be seen," answered the wizard. "Utterly alone here you cannot be."