and towel._

MISS MOON.

[_To the young lady._] Have you had your hand read yet, madam, by any of
these palmists?

YOUNG LADY.

Heavens, yes! I've been twice to that woman Bernstein, and I don't know
how often to Chiron.

MISS MOON.

Ah, you ought to try Valma.

YOUNG LADY.

Valma?

MISS MOON.

He's the latest. Ladies are flocking to him.

YOUNG LADY.

Really?

MISS MOON.

Yes. Such taking manners.

YOUNG LADY.

Where does he--?

MISS MOON.

186--next door. [_Indicating the window on the left._] You can see his
waiting-room from that window.

YOUNG LADY.

Is he a guinea or half a guinea?

MISS MOON.

Oh, he's a guinea.

YOUNG LADY.

That's a bore.

MISS MOON.

Ah, but consider, madam--his rooms are draped from ceiling to floor in
blue velvet. Blue velvet! fancy! Not that I've had the privilege of
viewing them myself; Miss F. is our authority.

YOUNG LADY.

Miss F.?

MISS MOON.

I beg your pardon--Miss Fullgarney. Valma is quite neighbourly with Miss
Fullgarney.

[_A door-gong sounds--as it does every time any one enters or quits the
establishment--signifying that the first gentleman has departed._

SECOND GENTLEMAN.

[_Rising._] Much obliged. [_Putting a tip into_ MISS HUDDLE'S _hand_.]
For yourself.

MISS HUDDLE.

Much obliged to _you_.

SECOND GENTLEMAN.

You're a fresh face here?

MISS HUDDLE.

Yes; I used to be with Mossu and Madame Roget in Mortimer Street.

SECOND GENTLEMAN.

I'll ask for you next time. What name?

MISS HUDDLE.

Miss Huddle.

SECOND GENTLEMAN.

Huddle?

MISS HUDDLE.

Well, p'r'aps you'd better ask for Miss Hud-delle; I fancy Miss
Fullgarney is going to alter me to that.

SECOND GENTLEMAN.

[_With a nod._] Goo'-bye.

MISS HUDDLE.

Good-day, sir.

[_He pays_ MISS LIMBIRD _and goes out. The maid rises and hands the
young lady her gloves._

MISS MOON.

[_Taking a card from the mirror._] Would you like a card of Valma's,
madam, just to remind you?

YOUNG LADY.

[_Accepting the card and reading it._] "Valma. Palmist. Professor of the
Sciences of Chiromancy and Chirognomy. 186 New Bond Street." [_Giving
the card to her maid._] Keep that.

[_The door-gong sounds._

MISS MOON.

[_Opening a window._] Look, madam. That's one of his rooms; the window
there--the open one--

YOUNG LADY.

Yes, I see. Thanks. Good-morning.

MISS MOON.

Good morning.

[_The young lady pays_ MISS LIMBIRD _and goes, followed by h