means being resorted to, gentlemen, the gifted Mooney revived with
a loud roar, and he no sooner came to himself than both he and the
old gentleman looked at Tom with compassion, and shed tears
abundantly.

'"My dear friend," says the old gentleman to the Gifted, "prepare
him."

'"I say," cries Tom, falling back, "none of that, you know. No
preparing by Mr. Mooney if you please."

'"Alas!" replies the old gentleman, "you don't understand us. My
friend, inform him of his fate. - I can't."

'The Gifted mustered up his voice, after many efforts, and informed
Tom that his nativity had been carefully cast, and he would expire
at exactly thirty-five minutes, twenty-seven seconds, and five-
sixths of a second past nine o'clock, a.m., on that day two months.

'Gentlemen, I leave you to judge what were Tom's feelings at this
announcement, on the eve of matrimony and endless riches. "I
think," he says in a trembling voice, "there must be a mistake in
the working of that sum. Will you do me the favour to cast it up
again?" - "There is no mistake," replies the old gentleman, "it is
confirmed by Francis Moore, Physician. Here is the prediction for
to-morrow two months." And he showed him the page, where sure
enough were these words - "The decease of a great person may be
looked for, about this time."

'"Which," says the old gentleman, "is clearly you, Mr. Grig."