"Beware of a dark woman!—she's playing you false. Between two fires you will burn and burn ... And then, when the light fades ... on the turn of the tide ... there's the Lucky Moon and the Dream of your life...!"
Her voice sank away. She straightened herself, with a clink of silver bangles, and let his hand fall. Her lips were still muttering and her eyes, opened wide, were like pools of ink as McTaggart stared at her.
"And what about the golden crown?" He felt in his pocket. With an effort he spoke lightly to break the uncanny charm.
"It will come, my fine gentleman—before the year is dead."
"Peter!" He heard Jill calling to him. "Peter! where are you?" The coin changed hands.
"A blessing on your head—the gypsy's blessing, sir. The eyes that see and the ears that hear ... And through the dark clouds the sun shining bright—with love coming swiftly ... love by your side..."
"Peter!" Impatiently Jill caught his arm—"we thought we had lost you."
He turned with a start.
"Hullo, Jill!" He felt a trifle dazed. "I've been listening to a gypsy—having my fortune told."
"No?—what fun! What did she tell you?"