ts different--Mercutio comes off unhurt.

The next day I sent Timothy to purchase some highly rectified white
brandy, which I coloured with a blue tincture, and added to it a small
proportion of the essence of cinnamon, to disguise the smell; a dozen
large vials, carefully tied up and sealed, were despatched to her abode.
She now seldom called unless it was early in the morning; I made
repeated visits to her house to receive money, but no longer to make
love. One day I requested permission to be present at their meeting, and
to this she gave immediate consent; indeed we were on the most intimate
terms, and when she perceived that I no longer attempted to play the
fool, I was permitted to remain for hours with her in conversation. She
had, as she told me she intended, re-enamelled and painted her face, but
knowing what beauty was concealed underneath, I no longer felt any
disgust.

Timothy was very much pleased at his share of this arrangement, as he
seldom brought her the medicine without pocketing half-a-crown.

For two or three months every thing went on very satisfactorily; but one
evening, Timothy, who had been sent with the basket of vials for Miss
Judd's assistance, returned in great consternation, informing me that
the house was empty. He had inquired of the neighbours, and from the
accounts given, which were very contradictory, it appeared that the
rival prophetess had marched up at the head of her proselytes the
evening before, had obtained entrance, and that a desperate contention
had been the result. That the police had been called in, and all parties
had been lodged in the watch-house; that the whole affair was being
investigated by the magistrates, and that it was said that Miss Judd and
all her coadjutors would be sent to the Penitentiary. This was quite
enough to frighten two boys like us; for days afterwards we trembled
when people came into the shop, expecting to be summoned and imprisoned.
Gradually, however, our fears were dismissed, but I never from that time
heard any thing more of Miss Aramathea Judd.

After this affair, I adhered steadily to my business, and profiting by
the advice given me by that young person, improved rapidly in my
profession, as well as in general knowledge; but my thoughts, as usual,
were upon one subject--my parentage, and the mystery hanging over it. My
eternal reveries became at last so painful, that I had recourse to
reading to drive them away, and subscribing to a g