He was habited in the cassock of a churchman of the period, and his black velvet cap lay beside him on the table.

Like Booker, he was buried in calculations, and though he looked up for a moment as the others entered the room, he instantly resumed his task, without regard to their presence.
After looking earnestly at his visitors for a few moments, and appearing to study their features, Lilly motioned them to be seated; but they declined the offer.
"I am not come to take up your time, Mr.Lilly," said Wyvil, "but simply to ask your judgment in a matter in which I am much interested." "First permit me to return you your purse, sir, since it is from you, I presume, that I received it," replied the astrologer.

"No information that I can give deserves so large a reward as this." Wyvil would have remonstrated.

But seeing the other resolute, he was fain to concede the point.
"What question do you desire to have resolved, sir ?" pursued Lilly.
"Shall I be fortunate in my hopes ?" rejoined Wyvil.
"You must be a little more precise," returned the astrologer.

"To what do your hopes relate ?--to wealth, dignity, or love ?" "To the latter," replied Wyvil.
"So I inferred from your appearance, sir," rejoined Lilly, smiling.
"Venus was strong in your nativity, though well-dignified; and I should, therefore, say you were not unfrequently entangled in love affairs.