private.

In the meantime, the maid, though laid under the most peremptory
injunctions of secrecy, was so full of the circumstance which related to
her own conduct, that she extolled his prescience, in whispers, to all
acquaintances, assuring them, that he had told her all the particulars
of her life; so that his fame was almost instantaneously conveyed,
through a thousand different channels, to all parts of the town; and,
the very next time he assumed the chair, his doors were besieged by
curious people of all sects and denominations.

Being an old practitioner in this art, Cadwallader knew it would be
impossible for him to support his reputation in the promiscuous exercise
of fortune-telling, because every person that should come to consult him
would expect a sample of his skill relating to things past; and it could
not be supposed that he was acquainted with the private concerns of
every individual who might apply to him for that purpose. He, therefore,
ordered his minister, whom he distinguished by the name of Hadgi Rourk,
to signify to all those who demanded entrance, that his price was half a
guinea; and that all such as were not disposed to gratify him with that
consideration, would do well to leave the passage free for the rest.

This declaration succeeded to his wish; for this congregation consisted
chiefly of footmen, chambermaids, prentices, and the lower class of
tradesmen, who could not afford to purchase prescience at such a price;
so that, after fruitless offers of shillings and half-crowns, they
dropped off one by one, and left the field open for customers of a
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 apprised 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 y