"
"Well, sir," she replied, "I see there is no use in denying--especially
to you, who seem to know everything--the truth of the facts you have
stated. There was one gentleman in particular whom I rejected--that
is, conditionally--rather harshly; and do you know, he took the
scarlet-fever soon afterwards and died of a broken-heart."
"Go on, madam," said he; "make a clean breast of it--so shall you enable
me to compare the future with the past, and state your coming fortunes
more distinctly."
"Another gentleman, sir--a country squire--owes, I fear, his death to my
severity; he was a hard drinker, but I gave him a month to reform--which
sentence he took so much to heart that he broke his neck in a fox-chase
from mere despair. A third individual--a very handsome young man--of
whom I must confess I was a little jealous about his flirting with
another young lady--felt such remorse that he absolutely ran away with
and married her. I know, of course, I am accountable for all these
calamities; but it cannot be helped now--my conscience must bear it."
"You should not look back upon these things with too much remorse,"
replied the conjurer; "forget them--bear a more relenting heart; make
some man happy, and marry.
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