This, philter, madam, will not only
make him fond of you before marriage, but will secure his affections
during life, increasing them day by day, so that every month of your
lives will be a delicious honeymoon. There is another bottle at the same
price; it may not, indeed, be necessary for you, but I can assure you
that it has made many families happy where there had been previously
but little prospect of happiness; the price is the same--twenty-one
shillings."
Up went the spectral fan again, and out came the forty-two shillings,
and, with a formal courtesy, the venerable old maid walked away with the
two bottles of aqua pura in her pocket.
Now came the test for the conjurer's knowledge--the sharp and unexpected
trial of his skill and sagacity. After the old maid had taken her leave,
possessed of the two bottles, a middle-aged, large-sized woman walked
in, and, after making a low courtesy, sat down as she had been desired.
The conjurer glanced keenly at her, and something like a smile might be
seen to settle upon his features; it was so slight, however, that the
good woman did not notice it.
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