| Suddenly Lady Windermere looked eagerly
round the room, and said, in her clear contralto voice, "Where is my
chiromantist?" "Your what, Gladys?" exclaimed the Duchess, trying to remember what a chiromantist really was, and hoping it was not the same as a chiropodist. "My chiromantist, Duchess: I can't live without him at present. I must certainly introduce him to you." "Introduce him!" cried the Duchess. "You don't mean to say he is here?" She began looking about for a small tortoiseshell fan and a very tattered lace shawl so as to be ready to go at a moment's notice. "Of course he is here: I would not dream of giving a party without him. He tells me I have a pure psychic hand." "Oh, I see!" said the Duchess, feeling very much relieved. "He tells fortunes, I suppose?" "And misfortunes, too," answered Lady Windermere. "Any amount of them. Next year, for instance, I am in great danger, both by land and sea, so I am going to live in a balloon, and draw up my dinner in a basket every evening. It is all written down on my little finger, or on the palm of my hand. I forgot which." "But surely that is tempting Providence, Gladys." "My dear Duchess, surely Providence can resist temptation by this time. Everyone should have their hands told once a month, so as to know what not to do. Of course, one does it all the same, but it is so pleasant to be warned. Ah, here is Mr. Podgers! Now, Mr. Podgers, I want you to tell the Duchess of Paisley's hand." "Dear Gladys, I really don't think it is quite right," said the Duchess, feebly unbuttoning a rather soiled kid glove. "Nothing interesting ever is," said Lady Windmere. "But I must introduce you. Duchess, this is Mr. Podgers, my pet chiromantist. Mr. Podgers, this is the Duchess of Paisley, and if you say that she has a larger mountain of the moon than I have, I will never believe you again." "I am sure, Gladys, there is nothing of the kind in my hand," said the Duchess gravely. "Your grace is quite right," said Mr. Podgers, glancing at the little fat hand. "The mountain of the moon is not developed. The line of life, however, is excellent. You will live to a great age, Duchess, and be extremely happy. Ambition -- very moderate, line of intellect not exaggerated, line of heart..." "Now, do be indiscreet, Mr. Podgers," cried Lady Windermere. "Nothing would give me greater pleasure," said Mr. Podgers, bowing, "if the Duchess ever had been, but I am, sorry to say that I see great permanence of affection, combined with a strong sense of duty." "Pray go on, Mr. Podgers," said the Duchess, looking quite pleased. "Economy is not the least of your Grace's virtues," continued Mr. Podgers, and lady Windermere went off into fits of laughter. "Economy is a very good thing," remarked the Duchess complacently. "When I married Paisley he had eleven castles, and not a single house fit to live in." "And now he has twelve houses, and not a single castle," cried Lady Windmere. "You have told the Duchess's character admirably, Mr. Podgers, and now you must tell Lady Flora's." In answer to a nod, a tall gift stepped awkwardly from behind the sofa and held out a long, bony hand. "Ah, a pianist!" said Mr. Podgers. "Very reserved, very honest, and with a great love of animals." "Quite true!" exclaimed the Duchess, turning to Lady Windermere. "Flora keeps two dozen collie dogs at Macloskie, and would turn our town house into a menagerie if her father would let her." "Well, that is just what I do with my house every Thursday evening," cried Lady Windermere, laughing. "Only I like lions better than collie dogs. But Mr. Podgers must read some more hands for us. Come, Lady Marvel, show him yours." But Lady Marvel entirely declined to have her past or her future exposed. In fact, many people seemed afraid to face the odd little man with his stereotyped smile and his bright, beady eyes; and when he told poor Lady Fermor right out before everyone that she did not care a bit for music, but was extremely fond of musicians, it was generally felt that chiromancy was a most dangerous science, and one ought not to be encouraged, except in private. |