e only means of learning the truth will be through the aid of
the dread Hermes, whose power no demon can resist. To-morrow you shall
learn all that my art can discover about your past and your future."

"But can you tell me no more than this to-day?" asked Mrs. Thayer, in a
vexed tone. "You have given me only bad news. How long shall I live and
be happy with my husband?"

"That man is not your husband, and you cannot long live happily with
him. As far as the cloud permits me to see, I can discern that something
terrible is about to happen to him. You are in danger yourself; there
seems to be a strange fatality attending your fate wherever it comes in
contact with that man; it is especially gloomy when complicated by the
presence of the other woman. As I have before told you, I cannot clearly
see from this horoscope what will be your _absolute_ future; but I can
tell you this much:--and, woman, weigh well my words, for the spirit of
prophecy is strong within me--your future is dependent upon your present
decision. Fate is unchangeable, and neither seer nor sibyl can alter its
least decree; but it is sometimes permitted to us to determine the
_contingent_ future of a person and no more. We then say, thus and thus
has been the past; the future may be thus, or it may be so; one course
of conduct now, will lead to _this_ result; the other will lead to
_that_. Yours is such a horoscope; and, even with the aid of my mighty
master, I cannot expect to do anything more than to learn definitely the
two alternatives which are to be presented to you, and the consequence
of your decision each way. To-morrow I will see you again at an early
hour, and will tell you all I have learned during the night."

"Can you tell me no more now?" demanded Mrs. Thayer, impatiently. "Is it
then true that my first husband is alive?"

"It is true," replied Lucille; "and he is at present commanding a ship
far away in the South Sea, which is the reason why you could not find
him."

"How do you know that I ever looked for him?" said Mrs. Thayer,
languidly.

"No; you did not look for him; but the other sailor who loves you, made
inquiries for a long time. I see him plainer now; he must be your
brother."

Mrs. Thayer had been very much awed by the imposing manners of Lucille,
and by the mystic surroundings in which she was placed. She was now
quite in Lucille's power, and I should have proceeded to force her to
reveal the truth about Pattmore's crim