"Arthur Benjamin Reeve - The Clairvoyants & other stories" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reeve Arthur B)other brilliants on her long, slender fingers.
She met Mildred and Constance with out-stretched hands. "So glad to see you, my dears," purred Madame, leading the way into an inner sanctum. Mrs. Caswell had seated herself with the air of one who worshipped at the shrine, while Constance gazed about curiously. "Madame," she began a little tremulously, "I have had another of those dreadful dreams." "You poor dear soul," soothed Madame, stroking her hand. "Tell me of it--all." Quickly Mrs. Caswell poured forth her story as she had already told it to Constance. "My dear Mrs. Caswell," remarked the high priestess slowly, when the story was complete, "it is all very simple. His love is dead. That is what you fear and it is the truth. The wall is the wall that he has erected against you. Try to forget it--to forget him. You would be better off. There are other things in the world--" "Ah, but I cannot live as I am used to without money," murmured Mrs. Caswell. "I know," replied Madame. "It is that that keeps many a woman with a brute when financial and economic independence come, then woman will be free and only then. Now, listen. Would you like to be free--financially! You remember that delightful Mr. Davies who has been here? Yes? Well, he is a regular client of mine, now. He is a broker and never embarks in any enterprise without first consulting me. Just the other day I read his fortune in United Traction. It has gone up five points already and will go fifteen more. If you want, I will give you a card to him. Let me see yes, I can do that. You too Constance, with one ear open, had been busy looking about the room. In a bookcase she saw a number of books and paused to examine their titles. She was surprised to see among the old style dream books several works on modern psychology, particularly on the interpretation of dreams. "Of course, Mrs. Caswell, I don't want to urge you," Madame was saying. "I have only pointed out a way in which you can be independent. And, you know, Mr. Davies is a perfect gentleman, so courteous and reliable. I know you will be successful if you take my advice and go to him." Mildred said nothing for a few moments, but as she rose to go she remarked, "Thank you very much. I'll think about it. Anyhow, you've made me feel better." "So kind of you to say it," murmured the Adept. "I'm sorry you must go, but really I have other appointments. Please come again--with your friend. Good-bye." "What do you think of her?" asked Mrs. Caswell on the street. "Very clever," answered Constance dubiously. Mrs. Caswell looked up quickly. "You don't like her?" "To tell the truth," confessed Constance quietly, "I have had too much experience in Wall Street myself to trust to a clairvoyant." They had scarcely reached the corner before Constance again had that peculiar feeling which some psychologists have noted, of being stared at. She turned, but saw no one. Still the feeling persisted. She could stand it no longer. "Don't think me crazy, Mildred," she said, "but I just have a desire to walk back a block." |
|
|