om, but she was easily dismissed
with instructions to return next day. When she retired, Mrs. Thayer was
admitted, and Miss Seaton wished to follow, but this could not be
allowed, as only one could have an audience at a time. Mrs. Thayer
entered the room with her veil down; and, what with her nervousness and
the superstitious terror inspired by the weird appearance of the room,
she was hardly able to walk to the visitor's chair. When she became
somewhat accustomed to the peculiar light, she saw Madam Lucille
standing beside the table. Her tall, commanding figure struck Mrs.
Thayer with awe, and Mrs. Warne already felt sure of drawing out
everything that she knew.

"Come hither, my daughter," said Lucille, in a clear, sweet voice.

Mrs. Thayer advanced falteringly, and sank into the large chair which
the sibyl pointed out.

"What would you know, my child?" continued Lucille. "State your errand
quickly; as my time is short, to unfold the mysteries of the future.
Like the Wandering Jew, I must forever advance upon my mission. What do
you seek to know?"

Lucille's powerful mind, aided by her fantastic surroundings, had gained
a complete ascendency over Mrs. Thayer's superstitious nature; in a
voice trembling with emotion, she replied:

"I have come to learn my future."

"Then you must unveil; I can tell you nothing until I see your face,"
said Lucille.

Mrs. Thayer slowly removed her veil and sat motionless, regarding the
fortune-teller as a frightened bird watches a snake.

"You wish to know your destiny, do you?" asked Lucille, gently. "Well, I
can tell it, if the stars are propitious; but I must first look at your
hand."

She paused and waved her wand with several mysterious gestures over Mrs.
Thayer's head; then she swept forward and took her hand.

"Tell me the day and hour of your birth," continued Lucille.

"I was born about daybreak on the eighteenth of October, 1816," replied
Mrs. Thayer; "I cannot tell you the exact hour."

"That will be sufficiently accurate for the present," said Lucille;
"though it may cause me much trouble in casting your horoscope."

Lucille continued to examine the lines of the hand, and presently
commenced speaking in a low, but clear voice:

"Your parents are dead, and also one brother; your father passed through
great dangers safely--ah! I see, he was a sailor. You have been
surrounded by other sea-faring people; still, I cannot certainly tell
what relationship they bore