ppearance in the street. The majority had passed us
and turned the corner; only a withered beldame, hobbling along with the
assistance of a stick, remained behind. On seeing us she paused, and,
addressing Max, asked for charity. Upon his giving her a coin she
inquired whether he would like his fortune told in return. Doctor
Liechardt, feeling a certain responsibility in the matter, was about to
order her away, but Max, who had always a touch of the mystical and
romantic in his character, begged him to allow her to remain.

"She shall tell my fortune," he said, taking some money from his pocket
and handing it to the old woman. "Who knows but that she may be able to
give me a hint which may some day be of use to me?"

The worthy doctor, who never willingly thwarted Max in anything, was
perforce compelled to agree. Accordingly he held out his hand, and the
old crone took it. For a few moments she studied its lines attentively.

"You have started on good terms with the world," she began at last.
"Fortune favours you now, but the time will come when she will not, and
you will be obliged to go on your way alone. You have a proud heart, and
desire great things. When the time is ripe, you will walk rough paths,
and will travel to a far country. Your dreams will go with you, but,
when you return, it will be too late. Your heart's desire will have
passed from you. I can say no more."

"You have not said very much," replied Max, with what I could not help
noticing was not his usual laugh. "Nor is what you _have_ told me
encouraging. However, I suppose it will prove as true as most of your
prophecies. And now, Paul, you must have your fortune told. Perhaps you
can find something better in your lucky bag for my brother."

At first I would have drawn back, being at that time rather a timid boy,
but Max's orders were always law to me. I accordingly held out my hand,
at the same time giving the old woman the necessary money wherewith to
cross it. As before, she bent over and studied the palm attentively. I
can see her wrinkled face now, peeping out, with its raven tresses, from
beneath her coloured hood. As soon became apparent, the prophecy in my
case was to be infinitely happier than that she had offered Max. I was
to retain the love of my friends, to enjoy long life, to possess a
beautiful wife, and to see many happy children clustering round my knee.
She had got this far when she looked into my face. What she saw there
appeared