thismoment,andinsistsuponbeingbroughtinbefore‘thequality,’totellthemtheirfortunes.Wouldyouliketoseeher?”

    “Surely,el,”criedLadyIngram,“youwouldnotencesupostor?Dismissher,byallmeans,atonce!”

    “ButIotpersuadehertogoaway,mylady,”saidthefootman;“noryoftheservants:Mrs.Fairfaxiswithherjustreatiobegoshehastakenachairintheey-er,andsaysnothingshallstirherfromittillshegetsleavetoeinhere.”

    “Whatdoesshewant?”askedMrs.Eshton.

    “‘Totellthegentrytheirfortunes,’shesays,ma’am;andsheswearsshemustandwilldoit.”

    “Whatisshelike?”inquiredtheMissesEshton,ih.

    “Ashoglyuglyoldcreature,miss;almostasblackasacrock.”

    “Why,she’sarealsorceress!”criedFrederiushaveherin,ofcourse.”

    “Tobesure,”rejoinedhisbrother;“itwouldbeathousandpitiestothrowawaysuchaceoffun.”

    “Mydearboys,whatareyouthinkingabout?”exclaimedMrs.Lynn.

    “Iotpossiblytenanysusistentproceeding,”chimedintheDowagerIngram.

    “Indeed,mama,butyou—andwill,”pronouhehaughtyvoiceofBlanche,assheturnedroundonthepiano-stool;wheretillnowshehadsatsilent,apparentlyexaminingsundrysheetsofmusic.“Ihaveacuriositytohearmyfortuold:therefore,Sam,orderthebeldameforward.”

    “MydarlingBlanche!recollect—”

    “Ido—Irecollectallyousuggest;andImusthavemywill—quick,Sam!”

    “Yes—yes—yes!”criedallthejuveniles,bothladiesalemehere—itwillbeexcellentsport!”

    Thefootmanstilllingered.“Shelookssucharoughone,”saidhe.

    “Go!”ejaculatedMissIngram,andthema.

    Excitementinstantlyseizedthewholep