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Hichens, Robert Smythe, 1864-1950

"The Prophet of Berkeley Square"


Eliza Doubleway, who were conferring in one corner, and Mr. and Madame
Sagittarius, who were apparently having rather more than a few words
together in another.
"Ah! there's Mr. Sagittarius!" said Lady Enid.
"Minnie!" cried Mrs. Eliza, beckoning to Lady Enid. "Minnie, ducky!"
Lady Enid pretended not to hear and tried to hasten with the astronomer
towards the Sagittariuses. But Mrs. Eliza was not to be put off.
"Minnie, my pet!" she piped. "Come here, Minnie!"
Lady Enid was obliged to pause.
"What is it, dear Eliza?" she asked, at the same time making a face at
the soothsayer to indicate caution.
Mrs. Eliza and Verano rose and approached Lady Enid and the astronomer.
"I was laying the cards last night at Jane Seaman's--you know, dear, the
Angel Gabriel who lives on the Hackney Downs--and whatever do you think?
The hace of spades came up three times in conjugation with the Knave of
'earts!"
"Terrific! Very great!" buzzed Verano, with a strong South American
Irish brogue--a real broth of a brogue.
"Wonderful!" said Lady Enid, hastily, endeavouring to pass on.
"Wait a minute, darling. Well, I says to Jane--I was laying the cards
for her 'usband, dear--I says to Jane, I says, without doubt Hisaac is
about to pass over, I says, seeing the red boy's come up in conjugation
with the hace.


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