The owner
of the house, a gentleman of good fortune, was much struck by the
reverend appearance of his guest, and apologised to him for a certain
degree of confusion which must unavoidably attend his reception, and
could not escape his eye. The lady of the house was, he said, confined
to her apartment, and on the point of making her husband a father for
the first time, though they had been ten years married. At such an
emergency, the laird said he feared his guest might meet with some
apparent neglect. "Not so, sir," said the stranger; "my wants are few,
and easily supplied; and I trust the present circumstances may even
afford an opportunity of showing my gratitude for your hospitality. Let
me only request that I may be informed of the exact minute of the birth;
and I hope to be able to put you in possession of some particulars which
may influence in an important manner the future prospects of the child
now about to come into this busy and changeful world. I will not conceal
from you that I am skilful in understanding and interpreting the
movements of those planetary bodies which exert their influences on the
destiny of mortals.
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