Arm in arm they wandered about the grove, absorbed in each other, until suddenly they found themselves close to the gypsy tent, and saw a bevy of fair maidens close by, laughing and exchanging confidences over the queer things the fortune-teller had told them.
"She promised me a rich husband, with blue eyes and a perfect love of a blonde mustache!" cried one, exultantly.
"And me a drunken one that would beat me every day, and break up all the furniture in his tantrums. I told her I wouldn't accept such a fortune, and wanted my dollar back, but she wouldn't give it," added another, lugubriously.
"Well, mine was quite as bad. She said I would have a lazy husband and nine children, and have to take in washing to support them," cried still another, bringing the laugh on herself, until Love Ellsworth said, gayly:
"Really, Dainty, we must go in and see what the seeress will grant to us from the grim fates."
"But you can not go together—only one person is admitted at a time!" cried the gay maidens.
"Ladies first!" cried Love, gallantly; and after leading Dainty to the door of the tent, he returned to the bevy of fair ones, and stood chatting merrily with them while he waited for his love's return.
She had gone from him gayly, happily, with laughter on her lips and roses on her cheeks; but presently she staggered forth, pale and changed, her face as white as her lilies, and the tears hanging on her lashes like pearls in the moonlight.
"The old gypsy has frightened her with her promise of a drunken and lazy husband!" cried the merry girls.
"Did she promise you a rich and loving husband?" cried Love, hanging eagerly over the pale, trembling girl.