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.