CHAPTER XIX 247
" Yes ; just so , in YOUR circumstances : but find me another precisely placed as you are ."
" It would be easy to find you thousands ."
" You could scarcely find me one . If you knew it , you are peculiarly situated : very near happiness ; yes , within reach of it . The materials are all prepared ; there only wants a movement to combine them . Chance laid them somewhat apart ; let them be once approached and bliss results ."
" I don ' t understand enigmas . I never could guess a riddle in my life ." " If you wish me to speak more plainly , show me your palm ." " And I must cross it with silver , I suppose ?" " To be sure ."
I gave her a shilling : she put it into an old stocking-foot which she took out of her pocket , and having tied it round and returned it , she told me to hold out my hand . I did . She arched her face to the palm , and pored over it without touching it .
" It is too fine ," said she . " I can make nothing of such a hand as that ; almost without lines : besides , what is in a palm ? Destiny is not written there ."
" I believe you ," said I .
" No ," she continued , " it is in the face : on the forehead , about the eyes , in the lines of the mouth . Kneel , and lift up your head ."
" Ah ! now you are coming to reality ," I said , as I obeyed her . " I shall begin to put some faith in you presently ."
I knelt within half a yard of her . She stirred the fire , so that a ripple of light broke from the disturbed coal : the glare , however , as she sat , only threw her