went about from one to the other, narrating the wonderful occurrence
till past midnight, when we all three took beds at the inn, as if we
were travellers.

The report which we had circulated that evening induced many people to
go out to see Nattee, who appeared to take no notice of them; and when
asked to tell fortunes, waved them away with her hand. But, although
this plan of Melchior's was, for the first two or three days, very
expedient, yet, as it was not intended to last, Timothy, who remained
with me at the inn, became very intimate with the bar-maid, and obtained
from her most of the particulars of her life. I, also, from repeated
conversations with the landlady, received information very important,
relative to herself and many of the families in the town, but as the
employment of Nattee was for an ulterior object, we contented ourselves
with gaining all the information we could before we proceeded further.
After we had been there a week, and the fame of the gipsy woman had been
marvellously increased--many things having been asserted of her which
were indeed truly improbable--Melchior agreed that Timothy should
persuade the bar-maid to try if the gipsy woman would tell her fortune:
the girl, with some trepidation agreed, but at the same time, expecting
to be refused, consented to walk with him over the common. Timothy
advised her to pretend to pick up a sixpence when near to Nattee, and
ask her if it did not belong to her; and the bar-maid acted upon his
suggestions, having just before that quitted the arm of Timothy, who had
conducted her.

"Did you drop a sixpence? I have picked up one," said the girl,
trembling with fear as she addressed Nattee.

"Child," replied Nattee, who was prepared, "I have neither dropped a
sixpence nor have you found one--but never mind that, I know that which
you wish, and I know who you are. Now what would you with me? Is it to
inquire whether the landlord and landlady of the Golden Lion intend to
keep you in their service?"

"No," replied this girl, frightened at what she heard; "not to inquire
that, but to ask what my fortune will be?"

"Open your palm, pretty maid, and I will tell you. Hah! I see that you
were born in the West--your father is dead--your mother is in service--
and let me see,--you have a brother at sea--now in the West Indies."

At this intelligence, all of which, as may be supposed, had been
gathered by us, the poor girl was so frightened that she f