 an higher rank.
    The first person of this species who appeared was dressed like the wife of a
substantial tradesman; but this disguise could not screen her from the
penetration of the conjurer, who at first sight knew her to be one of the ladies
of whose coming he had been apprized by Peregrine, on the supposition that their
curiosity was rather inflamed than allayed by the intelligence they had received
from his first client. This lady approached the philosopher with that
intrepidity of countenance so conspicuous in matrons of her dignified sphere,
and in a soft voice, asked with a simper, of what complexion her next child
would be? The necromancer, who was perfectly well acquainted with her private
history, forthwith delivered his response in the following question, written in
the usual form, »How long has Pompey the black been dismissed from your
ladyship's service?«
    Endued as she was with a great share of that fortitude which is
distinguished by the appellation of effrontery, her face exhibited some signs of
shame and confusion at the receit of this oracular interrogation, by which she
was convinced of his extraordinary intelligence; and accosting him in a very
serious tone, »Doctor (said she) I perceive you are a person of great abilities
in the art you profess; and therefore, without pretending to dissemble, I will
own you have touched the true string of my apprehensions. I am persuaded I need
not be more particular in my inquiries. Here is a purse of money; take it, and
deliver me from a most alarming and uneasy suspence.« So saying, she deposited
her offering upon the table, and waited for his answer with a face of fearful
expectation, while he was employed in writing this sentence for her perusal:
»Tho' I see into the womb of time, the prospect is not perfectly distinct; the
seeds of future events lie mingled and confused: so that I am under the
necessity of assisting my divination in some cases, by analogy and human
intelligence; and cannot possibly satisfy your present doubts, unless you will
condescend to make me privy to all those occurrences which you think might have
interfered with the cause of your apprehension.«
    The lady having read the declaration, affected a small emotion of shyness
and repugnance, and seating herself upon a settee, after having cautiously
informed herself of the privacy of the apartment, gave such a detail of the
succession of her lovers, as amazed while it entertained the necromancer, as
well as his friend Pickle, who from a closet in which he had concealed himself,
overheard every syllable of her confession. Cadwallader listened to her story
with
