The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 268: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ee SEND ee eS , THE STEAM PACKET, 203 What is your favourite animal 2? To which animal have you the greatest antipathy 2 Which flower do you love best ?”’ To all these inquiries Pauline replied in a trembling tone; and when she had answered them, she said, “‘ But if you are about to tell me my future fate, I would rather not listen to the narrative. If it be happy, I shall be restless until the period of felicity arrive; if miserable, I should be anxious to quit this world in time to avoid the inauspicious epoch.” | Mademoiselle Lenormand seemed annoyed by this observation, for she pushed the glass containing the egg away from her with impatience. ‘* But,” continued Pauline, after a moment’s pause, and willing to efface any cause of displeasure, “‘ should your art extend to the power of giving me some information more precise % “Concerning your father and brother?” hastily ejaculated the sor- ceress: ‘‘no—no! I have said enough! that inspiration has left me. Have you no other friend—none in whom you feel the slightest interest—concerning whose fortunes you may be anxious to make in- quiry 2”’ “‘Ah!.” said Pauline, a sudden reminiscence flashing through her mind, “‘ you spoke ere now of one who vowed eternal friendship to me, © in our days of girlhood. I feel an interest in Mademoiselle Tascher— a curiosity gs : “That interest and that curiosity shall be satisfied,” said Mademoiselle Lenormand. ‘‘ You shall see the lady of whom you speak, and be thus convinced that she is happy, and in health.” Mademoiselle Lenormand directed Pauline and her husband to with- draw to the further end of the apartment, so as to be as distant as possible from the extremity where the table and dazs stood. They obeyed her commands, their breasts being the prey of the most lively_ suspense, and fraught withthe most profound awe. Vainly did Henri struggle against the superstitious feeling which was gradually gaining amore complete ascendancy over him. Meantime the sorceress as- cended thedais, waving her wand mysteriously, and muttering words whose import the anxious spectators could not understand. Suddenly a portion of the black drapery overhanging the stage gave way, and revealed what appeared to be a small chamber, about twelve feet square, and yet more nearly resembled a picture seen in a mirror. ‘Upon the sofa in that mysterious boudoir was seated a lady—elegantly attired, with a coronet upon her brow: she raised her head the moment the drapery fell, and Pauline immediately recognised the countenance of her from whom she had received the chain in pledge of friendship. And upon that lady’s wrist was the bracelet which had been given in Eomicbooks: co