One afternoon, towards dusk, he was wandering dreamily in one of the
principal streets, when a fellow student roused him by a slap on the
shoulder, and asked him to accompany him into a little back alley to
look at some old armour which he had taken a fancy to possess. Cosmo was
considered an authority in every matter pertaining to arms, ancient or
modern. In the use of weapons, none of the students could come near him;
and his practical acquaintance with some had principally contributed
to establish his authority in reference to all. He accompanied him
willingly.
They entered a narrow alley, and thence a dirty little court, where
a low arched door admitted them into a heterogeneous assemblage of
everything musty, and dusty, and old, that could well be imagined.
His verdict on the armour was satisfactory, and his companion at once
concluded the purchase. As they were leaving the place, Cosmo's eye was
attracted by an old mirror of an elliptical shape, which leaned against
the wall, covered with dust. Around it was some curious carving, which
he could see but very indistinctly by the glimmering light which
the owner of the shop carried in his hand. It was this carving that
attracted his attention; at least so it appeared to him. He left the
place, however, with his friend, taking no further notice of it. They
walked together to the main street, where they parted and took opposite
directions.
No sooner was Cosmo left alone, than the thought of the curious old
mirror returned to him. A strong desire to see it more plainly arose
within him, and he directed his steps once more towards the shop. The
owner opened the door when he knocked, as if he had expected him. He
was a little, old, withered man, with a hooked nose, and burning eyes
constantly in a slow restless motion, and looking here and there as if
after something that eluded them. Pretending to examine several other
articles, Cosmo at last approached the mirror, and requested to have it
taken down.
"Take it down yourself, master; I cannot reach it," said the old man.
Cosmo took it down carefully, when he saw that the carving was indeed
delicate and costly, being both of admirable design and execution;
containing withal many devices which seemed to embody some meaning
to which he had no clue. This, naturally, in one of his tastes and
temperament, increased the interest he felt in the old mirror; so much,
indeed, that he now longed to possess it, in order to study its frame at
his leisure. He pretended, however, to want it only for use; and saying
he feared the plate could be of little service, as it was rather old, he
brushed away a little of the dust from its face, expecting to see a dull
reflection within. His surprise was great when he found the reflection
brilliant, revealing a glass not only uninjured by age, but wondrously
clear and perfect (should the whole correspond to this part) even for
one newly from the hands of the maker. He asked carelessly what the
owner wanted for the thing. The old man replied by mentioning a sum of
money far beyond the reach of poor Cosmo, who proceeded to replace the
mirror where it had stood before.