Guy Mannering.

GUY MIANNERING. 7
efit of those in whom I feel an interest." The Laird
bowed in respect and gratitude, and the stranger was
accommodated with an apartment which commanded an
ample view of the astral regions.
The guest spent a part of the night in ascertaining the
position of the heavenly bodies, and calculating their
probable influence; until at length the result of his observations induced him to send for the father, and conjure
him, in the most solemn manner, to cause the assistants
to retard the birth, if practicable, were it but for five
minutes. The answer declared this to be impossible;
and almost in the instant that the message was returned,
the father and his guest were made acquainted with the
birth of a boy.
The Astrologer on the morrow met the party who
gathered around the breakfast table with looks so grave
and ominous, as to alarm the fears of the father, who had
hitherto exulted in the prospects held out by the birth of
an heir to his ancient property, failing which event it
must have passed to a distant branch of the family. He
hastened to draw the stranger into a private room.
"I fear from your looks," said the father, A" that you
have bad tidings to tell me of my young stranger: perhaps God will resume the blessing he has bestowed ere
he attains the age of manhood! or perhaps he is destined
to be unworthy of the affection which we are naturally
disposed to devote to our offspring?"
"Neither the one nor the other," answered the stranger:
" unless my judgment greatly err, the infant will survive
the years of minority, and in temper and disposition will
prove all that his parents can wish. But with much in
his horoscope which promises many blessings, there is
one evil influence strongly predominant, which threatens