“My mind is very uneasy, sir, and I wish I had never seen him.  But I don’t know what could make him fall in love wid a poor simple girl like me.”

This was said in the coquettish consciousness of the beauty which she knew she possessed, and it was accompanied, too, by a slight smile of self-complacency.

“Do you think I could become a lady, sir?”

“A lady! why, what is to prevent you?  You are a lady already.  You want nothing but silks and satins, jewels and gold rings, to make you a perfect lady.”

“And he has promised all these to me,” she replied.

“Yes; but there is one thing you ought to do for your own sake and his—­and that is to betray Shaivn-na-Middogue, if you can; because if you do not, neither your own life, nor that of your lover, Mr. Woodward, will be safe.”

“I couldn’t do that, sir,” replied the girl, “it would be treacherous; and sooner than do so, I’d just as soon he would kill me at wanst—­still I would do a great deal to save Mr. Woodward.  But will Mr. Woodward marry me, sir? because he said he would—­in the coorse of some time.”

“And if he said so don’t be uneasy; he is a gentleman, and a gentleman, you know, always keeps his word.  Don’t be alarmed, my pretty girl—­your lover will provide for you.”

“Am I to pay you anything, sir?” she asked, rising.

“No, my dear, I will take no money from you; but if you wish to save Mr. Woodward from danger, you will enable the soldiers to, arrest Shawn-na-Middogue.  Even you, yourself, are not safe so long as he is at large.”

She then took her leave in silence.

It is not to be supposed that among the crowd that was assembled around the inn door there were not a number of waggish characters, who felt strongly inclined to have, if possible, a hearty laugh at the great conjurer.  No matter what state of society may exist, or what state of feeling may prevail, there will always be found a class of persons who are exceptions to the general rule.  Whilst the people were chatting in wonder and admiration, not without awe and fear, concerning the extraordinary knowledge and power of the conjurer, a character peculiar to all times and all ages made his appearance, and soon joined them.  This was one of those circulating, unsettled vagabonds, whom, like scum, society, whether agitated or not, is always sure to throw on the surface.  The comical miscreant no sooner made his appearance than, like Liston, when coming on the stage, he was greeted with a general roar of laughter.

“So,” said he, “you have a conjurer above.  But wait a while; by the powdhers o’ delf Rantin’ Rody’s the boy will try his mettle.  If he can look farther than his nose, I’m the lad will find it out.  If he doesn’t say I’ll be hanged, he knows nothing about his business.  I have myself half-a-dozen hangmen engaged to let me down aisy; it’s a death I’ve a great fancy for, and, plaise God, I’m workin’ honestly to desarve it.  Which of you has a cow to steal? for, by the sweets o’ rosin, I’m low in cash, and want a thrifle to support nather; for nather, my boys, must be supported, and it was never my intintion to die for want o’ my vittles; aitin’ and drinkin’ is not very pleasant to most people, I know, but I was born wid a fancy for both.”