"Don't be afraid, Miss Orlowska! . . . The counselor has an innocent mania of fortune telling," cried Cabinska merrily, peering over the shoulder of the counselor into the palm he was examining.
"Ho! ho! a strange one, a strange one!" whispered the old man.
He took from his pocket a small magnifying-glass and through it examined minutely the lines of the palm, the fingernails, the finger joints, and the entire hand.
"Ladies and gentlemen! We tell fortunes here from the hands, the feet, and something else besides! . . . Here we predict the future, and dispense talent, virtue, and money in the future. Admission only five copecks, only five copecks! . . . for the poorer people only ten groszy! Please step in, ladies and gentlemen, please step in!" cried Wawrzecki, excellently imitating the voice of the show criers on Ujazdowski Square.
The actors and actresses surrounded the trio on all sides.
"Tell us something, Mr. Counselor!"
"Will she marry soon?"
"When will she eclipse Modrzejewska?"
"Will she get a rich hubby?"
"How many suitors has she had in the past?"