their supper! could they have heard the peals of
laughter caused by the unlooked-for success of the frolic, how would
their cheeks have been covered with blushes!

The astrologers became decidedly the rage: had it been their object to
gain wealth, they could have charged any price they pleased for their
conjurations, and would have obtained it. But their popularity was of
course increased by the fact that the mysterious Wanderer uniformly
refused to accept any compensation, and majestically commanded those who
sought his aid, to apply the sum of money offered him to the relief of
the first poor widow, orphan, or aged person they met. This peculiarity
induced many young persons, of a rank in life and a style of education
who do not commonly patronize fortune-telling, to visit the great
unknown, partly in fun, partly in earnest; for there is a vast deal of
superstition hidden in the recesses of most characters, and ready to
start forth at the first call. Bright eyes, obscured by thick veils,
excited the curiosity even of the venerable Wanderer; and white,
jewelled hands were extended, that his searching glance might decipher
the lines of life. Several interesting love-tales were poured into the
sympathizing ear of benign old age, and the recollections of centuries
were called up, to furnish suitable counsel and to encourage the
despairing heart to hope. Forsythe assured his friend that he would not
exchange the knowledge of human nature, and especially of woman nature,
which he had acquired in this fortnight, for the experience of ten years
of ordinary life.

The joke was very consistently carried out. Our youngsters were both
possessed of ready mother wit, and the world was charmingly mystified.
The answers furnished to inquirers partook much of the dimness and
ambiguity of the ancient oracular responses, when Delphi was yet in its
glory, and the oaks of Dodona reflected some of their own rich green
tint upon those who consulted its priestesses. On one occasion, "Selim"
found it very difficult to retain the gravity of his sad, Oriental
countenance. A sharp, quick-witted young fellow, Frank Warren, their
former college chum, to whom they had sent his first fee, had
accompanied the grateful little man who had made their reputation,
ostensibly for the purpose of consulting the spirit of Milton, but
really, as they plainly perceived, to detect their tricks. They were on
their guard: they had not seen Warren for some time,