ill be made to take her
position as helpmate. It is always a mark of great civilisation and the
effeminacy of a people when women obtain the undue mastery of men." And
he farther goes on to say: "We were just having a romp with Esmeralda and
her two brothers as we were packing up our things, and a merry laugh,
when some men appeared at the fence near our camping-ground. We little
think," says Mr. Petalengro, "how much we can do in this world to lighten
a lonely wayfarer's heart."

[Picture: A Bachelor Gipsy's Bedroom]

Esmeralda and Mr. Petalengro tell each other their fortunes. "Esmeralda
and myself were sitting in our tents. Then the thought occurred to her
that we should tell her fortune. 'Your fortune must be a good one,' said
we, laughing; 'let me see your hand and your lines of life.' We shall
never forget Esmeralda. She looked so earnestly as we regarded
attentively the line of her open hand." (Mr. Petalengro does not say
that tears were to be seen trickling down those lovely cheeks of
Esmeralda while this fortune-telling, nonsensical farce was being played
out.) "Then we took her step by step through some scenes of her supposed
future. We did not tell all. The rest was reserved for another day.
There was a serious look on her countenance as we ended; but, reader,
such secrets should not be revealed. Esmeralda commenced to tell our
fortunes. We were interested to know what she would say. We cast
ourselves on the waves of fate. The Gipsy raised her dark eyes from our
hand as she looked earnestly in the face. You are a young gentleman of
good connections. Many lands you have seen. But, young man, something
tells me you are of a wavering disposition.'" And then charming
Esmeralda would strike up "The Little Gipsy"--

"My father's the King of the Gipsies, that's true,
My mother she learned me some camping to do;
With a packel on my back, and they all wish me well,
I started up to London some fortunes for to tell.

"As I was a walking up fair London streets,
Two handsome young squires I chanced for to meet,
They viewed my brown cheeks, and they liked them so well,
They said 'My little Gipsy girl, can you my fortune tell?'

"'Oh yes! kind Sir, give me hold of your hand,
For you have got honours, both riches and land;
Of all the pretty maidens you must lay aside,
For it is the little Gipsy girl that is to be your bride.'

"