Cadwallader at once perceiving her allusion, answered
her question in these terms: "This honest world will forgive a
young gamester for indiscretion at play, but a favour granted to
a babbling coxcomb is an unpardonable offence." This response she
received with equal astonishment and chagrin; and, fully convinced
of the necromancer's omniscience, implored his advice, touching
the retrieval of her reputation: upon which he counselled her to
wed with the first opportunity. She seemed so well pleased with his
admonition, that she gratified him with a double fee, and, dropping
a low curtsey, retired.
Our undertakers now thought it high time to silence the oracle for
the day, and Hadgi was accordingly ordered to exclude all comers,
while Peregrine and his friend renewed the deliberations which had
been interrupted, and settled a plan of operations for the next
occasion. Meanwhile it was resolved that Hadgi should not only
exercise his own talents, but also employ inferior agents, in
procuring general intelligence for the support of their scheme; that
the expense of this ministry should be defrayed from the profits
of their professions; and the remainder be distributed to poor
families in distress.
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