s you wish to appear," replied the palmist;
"you are very frank and straightforward, but reserved on subjects that
are nearest your heart.... Is there any question you would like to ask
me?"

"I should like to know," said Felicity, giving herself away as the most
sceptical victim always does, "whether the person I care for is true to
me."

As she said the words she thought they sounded as if she were a
sentimental shop-girl whose young man had shown signs of ceasing his
attentions. And why not? She felt exactly like that shop-girl. It was
precisely the same thing.

The palmist smiled sympathetically, and said, "He has no other thought
but you. Believe me, you are his one object, and he will be true to you
through life."

"And how on earth can you see that?" said Felicity, unreasonably
cheered, though inclined to laugh.

"I can't say. It's not possible to explain these things; but here, you
see, your Fate line is a wonderfully good one, and it goes parallel (if
I may say so) with the heart line. Now, if the _Life_ line had crossed
it, or reached the Mount of Luna--well, I should have said you were
destined to disappointment in love. But that is not so. You have a lucky
hand. You have artistic tastes, but would never work in any direction,
except the social--that is why I say a diplomatic circle would have
suited you."

Felicity feared the soothsayer was getting rather bored with her, so she
said--

"Thank you. Have you any advice to give me before I go?"

"Yes. It would be to your advantage if you used your head less and
followed your natural impulses more."

"Then I must throw something at Chetwode's head when I see him," thought
Felicity.

As she got up, "I see two beautiful children in your hand," added the
palmist.

"Oh, when?" said Felicity, starting, and accidentally knocking down the
crystal ball.

"Within the next few years," answered the palmist cautiously.

* * * * *

"Now it's my turn," said Bertie, as Felicity joined them. "Do tell me,"
he said in an undertone, "was there anything about me in your hand?"

"Rather not--not a trace of you. Why, what did you expect?"

"Oh, then I don't think much of her. I thought at least she would see my
initials all over your lifeline. I assure you, any good palmist would.
I'm afraid she's a fraud."

"I trust not. She was rather consoling," said Felicity thoughtfully.

"She was wonderful with me," said Vera, as Bertie di