He only admitted
those who wished to consult him, singly; for on no occasion did he ever
permit two persons at a time to approach him. All the paraphernalia of
astrology were exposed upon the same table, at one end of which he sat
in an arm-chair, awaiting the commencement of operations. At length
a good-looking country-woman, of about forty-five years, made her
appearance, and, after a low courtesy, was solemnly motioned to take a
seat.
"Well, Mrs. Houlaghan," said he, "how do you do?"
The poor woman got as pale as death. "Heavenly Father," thought she,
"how does it happen that he comes to know my name!"
"Mrs. Houlaghan, what can I do for you? not that I need ask, for I could
give a very good guess at it;" and this he added with a very sage and
solemn visage, precisely as if he knew the whole circumstances.
"Why, your honor," she replied--"but, blessed Father, how did you come
to know my name?"
"That's a question," he replied, solemnly, "which you ought not to ask
me. It is enough that you see I know it. How is your husband, Frank, and
how is your daughter, Mary? She's complaining of late--is she not?"
This private knowledge of the family completely overwhelmed her, and she
felt unable to speak for some time.
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