The seeress gave herself, here at home, the same background of
purple velvet; the floor was carpeted with black, and spread with black
fur rugs; she was never without fragrant white lilies ranged in curious
pots along the purple walls; but in her own house the appointments were
more elaborate and impressive than the temporary fittings she carried
about for use when visiting.
On her table was a cushion of cloth-of-gold, embroidered with amethysts
and emeralds, the "lucky" jewels of her horoscope; and her gleaming ball
of crystal lay like a bright bubble in a shallow cup of solid jet which,
she told everyone, had been given her in India by the greatest astrologer
in the world.
What was the name of this man, and when she had visited him in India, she
did not reveal.
They sat down at the table, she and Constance Annesley-Seton, opposite
each other. Madalena unveiled the crystal, which was hidden under a
covering of black velvet when not in use. At first she gazed into the
glittering ball in vain, and her companion watched her face anxiously. It
looked marble white and expressionless as that of a statue in the light
of seven wax candles grouped together in a silver candelabrum.
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