“Never!”

“Oh, why not?  Are you tired?  What a pity!”

Miss Latouche took not the slightest notice of the chorus of protestations.  She merely turned away with such an air of inflexible determination that even the ardent Lily refrained from pressing her any further.

My curiosity was considerably excited by finding myself an exception to the general rule.  Was the inference to be drawn from Miss Latouche’s behaviour flattering, or the reverse?  I had no chance of finding out until late in the afternoon, when the rain ceased and we all gladly seized the opportunity of getting some exercise before dinner.

The different members of the party quickly dispersed in opposite directions.  A few exceptionally active young people tried to make up for lost time by starting a game of tennis on the cinder courts.  Some diverged towards the stables, others took a brisk constitutional up and down the gravel path.  Under the pretence of lighting a cigar, I contrived to wait about near the door until I saw Miss Latouche crossing the hall.  I remember thinking how wonderfully handsome she looked as she came forward with a crimson shawl thrown over her head—­for it was one of her peculiarities never to wear a conventional hat or bonnet unless absolutely obliged.

“What do you say to going up the hill on the chance of seeing a fine sunset?” I said, as she joined me.  She nodded assent, and turning away from the others, we began to climb a winding path, from the top of which there was supposed to be a wonderful view.  When we had gone about a quarter of a mile, we stopped and looked round.  Far out in front stretched a beautiful valley lighted by gleams of fitful sunshine.  The house and garden lay at our feet, but so far below that we only occasionally heard a faint echo from the tennis courts.  The moment seemed propitious.

“Miss Latouche,” I said abruptly, “I want to ask you something.”

No sooner were the words spoken than it struck me they were liable to be misunderstood.  She might imagine that I intended to make her an offer, and accept me on the spot.  Infinitely as I admired her in an abstract fashion, I had never contemplated matrimony for a moment.  Visions of enraged male relatives armed with horse-whips, followed by a formidable breach of promise case, flitted through my mind.  There was no time to be lost.

“It’s only about the fortune-telling,” I stammered out; “nothing else, I assure you—­nothing at all!”

“I knew it,” replied Miss Latouche calmly and without a trace of embarrassment.

Sensible girl!  I breathed freely once more and proceeded with my investigations.

“Why wouldn’t you tell my fortune this morning?  Why am I alone excluded?”

“Do you really wish to know?” she said very quietly.

“Of course, or I shouldn’t ask!”

“Well then, the reason that I declined to tamper with your destiny is that I should be irresistibly compelled to tell you the truth!”