At present she stood by the window of the cottage, her person drawn up so as to show to full advantage her masculine stature, and her head somewhat thrown back, that the large bonnet with which her face was shrouded might not interrupt her steady gaze at Brown.

At every gesture he made and every tone he uttered she seemed to give an almost imperceptible start.

On his part, he was surprised to find that he could not look upon this singular figure without some emotion.

'Have I dreamed of such a figure ?' he said to himself, 'or does this wild and singular-looking woman recall to my recollection some of the strange figures I have seen in our Indian pagodas ?' While he embarrassed himself with these discussions, and the hostess was engaged in rummaging out silver in change of half-a-guinea, the gipsy suddenly made two strides and seized Brown's hand.

He expected, of course, a display of her skill in palmistry, but she seemed agitated by other feelings.
'Tell me,' she said, 'tell me, in the name of God, young man, what is your name, and whence you came ?' 'My name is Brown, mother, and I come from the East Indies.' 'From the East Indies!' dropping his hand with a sigh; 'it cannot be then.