reets; nobody will obsarve any thing then, or
think it strange that a gentleman should have a funny piece o' discoorse
wid a fortune-teller."

"I don't know that; observations might be made afterwards."

"But what can she do for you that I can't? She's a bad graft to have
anything to do wid, and I wouldn't recommend you to put much trust in
her."

"Why so?"

"Why, she's nothin' else than a schemer."

Little did old Solomon suspect that he was raising her very highly in
the estimation of his visitor by falling foul of her in this manner.

"At all events," said Woodward, "I wish to see her; and, as I said, I
came for the express purpose of asking you where and when I could see
her--privately, I mean."

"That's what I can't tell you at the present spakin'," replied
Solomon. "She has no fixed place of livin', but is here to-day and
away to-morrow. God help you, she has travelled over the whole kingdom
tellin' fortunes. Sometimes she's a dummy, and spakes to them by
signs--sometimes a gypsy--sometimes she's this and sometimes she's
that, but not often the same thing long; she's of as many colors as the
rainbow. But if you do wish to see her, there's a chance that you may
to-morrow. A conjurer has come to town, and he's to open to-morrow, for
both town and country, and she'll surely be here, for that's taking the
bit out of her mouth."

"A conjurer!"

"Yes, he was here before some time ago, about the night of that bonfire
that was put out by the shower o' blood, but somehow he disappeared from
the place, and he's now come back."

"A conjurer--well, I shall see the conjurer myself to-morrow; but can
you give me no more accurate information with respect to your niece?"

"Sarra syllable--as I tould you, she's never two nights in the same
place; but, if I should see her, I'll let her know your wishes; and what
might I say, sir, that you wanted her to do for you?"

"That's none of your affair, most sagacious Solomon--I wish to speak
with her myself, and privately, too; and if you see her, tell her to
meet me here to-morrow night about this hour."

"I'll do so; but God forgive you for disturbin' me in my devotions, as
you did. It's not often I'd give them up for any one; but sure out of
regard for the proprietor o' the town I'd do that, and more for you."

"Here," replied Woodward, putting some silver into his hand, "let that
console you; and tell your niece when you see her that I am a good
paymaster; and, if I s