Читать книгу Superstition Corner онлайн

26 страница из 47

"A mistake," said Oxenbrigge; "he's no anabaptist, but an astrologer."

"I swear I'm as good a Protestant as anyone here!" cried the stranger. "I came only to see Bess Hallaker, a maid in your ma'ship's and la'ship's service, and to give my blessing on her handfast to your ma'ship's and la'ship's John Fuller—seeing that I'm her uncle, and her father is dead, and her mother, my sister, on the straw with her eighth child. I keep a tallow-chandler's shop in Hastings, but the shops are shut to-day while the bells ring for the glorious victory. So I bethought me to walk into the country, to visit my niece, and brought my philosopher's hat with me to tell her fortune. For years now I've read the future by the stars and by coats of arms. I swear I meant no evil."

"There an't no evil, surelye—save that by telling the future by coats of arms thou breakest the law as surely as if thou refuse baptism. I can send thee to assizes for this."

"My lord! my lord!" cried the poor man, falling on his knees.