Though he could easily perceive a great fund of credulity in the
company, they affected to espouse his opinion, and, under the notion
of a frolic, agreed that one particular lady should endeavour to
baffle his art, by appearing before him in the dress of her woman,
who should at the same time personate her mistress, and be treated
as such by our adventurer, who promised to squire them to the place.
These measures being concerted, and the appointment fixed for the
next audience-day, Peregrine furnished his friend with the necessary
information, and, when the hour of assignation arrived, conducted
his charge to this oraculous seer.
They were admitted by our hero's valet-de-chambre, whose visage,
being naturally meagre and swarthy, was adorned with artificial
whiskers; so that he became the Persian dress which he wore,
and seemed a very proper master of the ceremonies to an Oriental
necromancer. Having crossed his arms upon his breasts, with an
inclination of the head, he stalked in solemn silence before them
into the penetralia of the temple, where they found the conjurer
sitting at a table, provided with pen, ink, and paper, divers books,
mathematical instruments, and a long white wand lying across the
whole.
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