midnight
He had a window , he explained , through which Rodriguez should see clearly the ancient wars , while another window beside it looked on all wars of the future except those which were planned already or were coming soon to earth , and which were either invisible or seen dim as through mist . Rodriguez said that to be privileged to see so classical an example of magic would be to him both a delight and honour . Yet , as is the way of youth , he more desired to have a sight of the wars than he cared for all the learning of the Professor . And to him who held the Chair of Magic at Saragossa it was a precious thing that his windows could be made to show these marvels , while the guest to whom he was about to display these two gems of his learning was thinking of little but what he should see through the windows , and not at all of what spells , what midnight oil , what incantations , what witchcrafts , what lonely hours among bats , had gone to the gratification of his young curiosity . It is usually thus . The Professor rose : his cloak floated out from him as he left the chamber , and Rodriguez following where he guided saw , by the torchlight in the corridors , upon the dim purple border signs that , to his untutored ignorance of magic , were no more than hints of the affairs of the Zodiac . And if these signs were obscure it were better they were obscurer , for they dealt with powers that man needs not to possess , who has the whole earth to regulate and control ; why then should he seek to govern the course of any star ?