The Argosy — page 231: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

214 Featherston’s Story. fortunes, the Signor hurriedly put up the cards and disappeared from — the recess. Nancy did not appear to be in the least impressed. ‘What a curious ‘ future’ it was!” she exclaimed lightly to Mary © Cardiac. ‘I might as well not have had it cast. He told me nothing.” They walked away together. I went back to the sofa and Anna Bosanquet followed me. | ‘‘ Mrs. Fennel calls it ‘curious,’” I said to her. ‘I call it more than that—strange; ominous. I wish I had not heard it.” | ‘‘ Dear Miss Preen, it is only nonsense,” she answered. ‘“ Hewill tell someone else the same next time.” But she only so spoke to © console me. | A wild wish flashed into my mind—that I should ask the man to tell zy future. But had I not heard enough? Mine was blended ~ with this of Ann’s, / was the other woman whom the dark fate was © more relentlessly pursuing. There could be no doubt of that. There could be as little doubt that it was I who already suspected the — author of the “evil.” What can the ‘‘dark fate” be that we are — threatened with? Debt? Will his debts spring upon us and break: — up our home, and turn us out of it? Or will it be something worse? That card which followed me meant a coffin, they said. Ah me! Perhaps I am foolish to dwell upon such ideas. Certainly they are — more fitting for the world’s dark ages than for this enlightened nine- teenth century of it. | Charley Palliser gallantly offered to see us home. I said no; asif we were not old enough to go by ourselves ; but he would come with us. As we went along Ann began talking of the party, criticising the dresses, and so on. Charley seemed to be unusually silent. ‘Was not mine a grand fortune?” ay presently said, with a laugh as we crossed the Place Ronde. | *¢ Stunning,” said he. | ‘ As if there could be anything in it, you know! Does the man think we believe him, I wonder ?” ‘Oh, these conjurers like to fancy they impose on us,” remarke¢ Charley, shaking hands as we halted before the hove of Mme | Sauvage. And I have had a wretched night, for somehow the thing frightened me. I never was superstitious ; never; and I’m sure. never believed in conjurers, as Charles had it. If I should com across Signor T'alcke again while he stays here, I would ask him—— Here comes Nancy! and Flore behind her with the marketings. I) put up my diary. | ‘T’ve bought such a lovely capon,” began Nancy, as Lavinia wer into the kitchen. ‘‘ Show it to Madame, Flore.” It was one that even Lavinia could praise ; they both understoo poultry. ‘It really is a beauty,” said Lavinia. ‘* And did you ré member the salsifis ? And, Ann, where have you left your husband? comichooksxcelar