aidshe.“Imakenothingofsuchahandasthat;almostwithoutlines:besides,whatisinapalm?Destinyisnotwrittenthere.”

    “Ibelieveyou,”saidI.

    “No,”shetinued,“itisinthefatheforehead,abouttheeyes,inthelihemouth.Kneel,andliftupyourhead.”

    “Ah!nowyouareingtoreality,”Isaid,asIobeyedher.“Ishallbegintoputsomefaithinyoupresently.”

    Ikwithinhalfayardofher.Shestirredthefire,sothatarippleoflightbrokefromthedisturbedcoal:theglare,however,asshesat,onlythrewherfatodeepershadow:miillumined.

    “Iwohwhatfeelingsyoucametometo-night,”shesaid,whenshehadexaminedmeawhile.“Iwonderwhatthoughtsarebusyinyourheartduringallthehoursyousitinyonderroomwiththefinepeopleflittingbeforeyoulikeshapesinamagitern:justaslittlesympathetiunionpassiweenyouandthemasiftheywerereallymereshadowsofhumanforms,andnottheactualsubstance.”

    “Ifeeltiredoften,sleepysometimes,butseldomsad.”

    “Thenyouhavesomesecrethopetobuoyyouupandpleaseyouwithwhispersofthefuture?”

    “NotI.TheutmostIhopeis,tosavemoneyenoughoutofmyearningstosetupasedayinalittlehouserentedbymyself.”

    “Ameannutrimentforthespirittoexiston:andsittinginthatwindow-seat(youseeIknowyourhabits)—”

    “Youhavelearhemfromtheservants.”

    “Ah!youthinkyourselfsharp.Well,perhapsIhave:tospeaktruth,Ihaveanacquaintahohem,Mrs.Poole—”

    Istartedtomyfeetwhehename.

    “Youhave—haveyou?”thoughtI;“thereisdiablerieinthebusinessafterall,then!”

    “Don’tbealarmed,”tihestrangebeing;“she’sasafehandisMrs.Poole:closeandquiet;anyonemayr