Volume Ii Part 11 (1/2)
A young man, in a Spanish dress, who, with a friend at his side, had just conferred with the conjuror, was saying, as he pa.s.sed us by:
”Ingenious mystification! Who is that in the palanquin. He seems to know everybody.”
The Count, in his mask and domino, moved along, stiffly, with us, toward the palanquin. A clear circle was maintained by the Chinese attendants, and the spectators crowded round in a ring.
One of these men--he who with a gilded wand had preceded the procession--advanced, extending his empty hand, palm upward.
”Money?” inquired the Count.
”Gold,” replied the usher.
The Count placed a piece of money in his hand; and I and the Marquis were each called on in turn to do likewise as we entered the circle. We paid accordingly.
The conjuror stood beside the palanquin, its silk curtain in his hand; his chin sunk, with its long, jet-black beard, on his chest; the outer hand grasping the black wand, on which he leaned; his eyes were lowered, as before, to the ground; his face looked absolutely lifeless. Indeed, I never saw face or figure so moveless, except in death.
The first question the Count put, was--
”Am I married, or unmarried?”
The conjuror drew back the curtain quickly, and placed his ear toward a richly-dressed Chinese, who sat in the litter; withdrew his head, and closed the curtain again; and then answered--
”Yes.”
The same preliminary was observed each time, so that the man with the black wand presented himself, not as a prophet, but as a medium; and answered, as it seemed, in the words of a greater than himself.
Two or three questions followed, the answers to which seemed to amuse the Marquis very much; but the point of which I could not see, for I knew next to nothing of the Count's peculiarities and adventures.
”Does my wife love me?” asked he, playfully.
”As well as you deserve.”
”Whom do I love best in the world?”
”Self.”
”Oh! That I fancy is pretty much the case with every one. But, putting myself out of the question, do I love anything on earth better than my wife?”
”Her diamonds.”
”Oh!” said the Count.
The Marquis, I could see, laughed.
”Is it true,” said the Count, changing the conversation peremptorily, ”that there has been a battle in Naples?”
”No; in France.”
”Indeed,” said the Count, satirically, with a glance round. ”And may I inquire between what powers, and on what particular quarrel?”