第40部分(第5/8 頁)

most　any　one　who　you　knew　lived　as　a　solitary　dependent　in　a　great　house。”

“I　might　say　it　to　almost　any　one：　but　would　it　be　true　of　almost　any　one？”

“In　my　circumstances。”

“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　bine　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　ached　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　ing　to　reality；”　I　said；　as　I　obeyed　her。　“I　shall　begi