The merchant's wife kissed her affectionately.
Take care of yourself, my child! And while you are waiting for your father do not talk to strangers; that is most unwise in London Town.
And do not forget, my dear, if ever you should be Clapham way, you must bring your family to see us.”
The invitation was vague, for the girl was attractive and the merchant had a roving eye; and even the kindest of women must give thought to these matters.
"You are very kind!" said Carolan, for so the woman was, though old-fashioned and over-cautious and sentimental and middle-aged.
Carolan went into the inn. It was cool in the parlour. She sat in a deep window-seat, and looked about" her at the gleaming brass over the open fireplace. The pleasurable excitement was returning. She would engage some vehicle to take her to her parents' house; it would be quite simple. In the glass on the sideboard she caught a glimpse of herself, small head held high, eyes a-sparkle. This was adventure as she loved it; she wished that Everard was here to enjoy it with her.
A serving maid came in, buxom and pretty, with ribbons in her gown and a mob-cap on her fluffy hair. Carolan asked for refreshment. It would have to be bread and cheese with a glass of ale to wash it down, said the maid, for that was the best the inn could offer in between meals.
Carolan could think of nothing better, since all she needed was a little light refreshment before she set out to find her parents' house.
She would inquire about a conveyance later.
When the maid had disappeared, a woman came into the parlour and sat down in one of the chairs near Carolan. Carolan scarcely noticed her, so deep was she in her own thoughts, and when the maid returned with the food and drink, she took the little velvet purse from the pocket of her cloak, paid her, and wondered whether to ask then about the best way to get to her mother's house; but before she could speak, the newcomer had engaged the maid's attention and was asking for a glass of ale.
There was plenty of time, thought Carolan, and meanwhile the bread and cheese were delicious and she was hungry; the ale was cool and refreshing, and she was thirsty.
"A warm day," said the woman, and Carolan noticed that the maid had slipped out and they were alone.
"Very warm," agreed Carolan, 'but the ale is cool!”
"Ah! Indeed." She was a tall woman with white hair, very dark eyes and a pleasant smile. Carolan warmed to her, for there was something in the very vastness of the City that chilled her, and it was good to discover so soon that its people were friendly.
"You travelled by the coach, my dear, did you not?”
Carolan nodded.
"And you have come far?”
"From Exeter.”
The woman smiled.
That is a long journey for one so young... and forgive me if I say it... so beautiful.”
"Oh!" said Carolan, protesting but well pleased.
"You flatter!”
"Not II Have you looked in the glass recently? There is one!”
The maid came in with the ale. The woman paid and sat back in her chair sipping the beverage.
"As you say, it is cool enough!”
The maid left them. The grandfather clock in the corner ticked loudly, and every now and then Carolan could hear distant voices crying wares.
It was indeed pleasant in the old inn parlour, with the adventure well-nigh over and so successfully carried out, and the glass on the sideboard showing Carolan her reflection and assuring her that though the woman had exaggerated a little, there was some truth in her words.
A smile appeared about the woman's mouth as she watched the girl's smiling at her own reflection.
"You are visiting relations?”
"I am going home... to my parents ...”
"Ah! Then you know London well?”
"No. I have been living in the country__not with my parents.
Now I have come home to them.”
"They were to be here to meet you perhaps?”
"Oh, no ... It is a surprise visit. They will not be here to meet me.”
The woman watched her speculatively.
"You have a lucky face," she said.
"A lucky face?”
"Indeed you have! As soon as my eyes fell on you, I knew good fortune awaited you.”
"But how could you know that?”
"There are some of us to whom such knowledge comes.”
"Do you mean... you are a fortuneteller?”
"Oh, come! Do I look that sort? A lady does not call herself a fortune-teller; that suggests a gipsy, does it not, one who must have her palm crossed with silver before she will ply her trade?”
Hot blood rushed into Carolan's face.
"I am very sorry... I should have known.”
The woman threw back her head and laughed. Her teeth flashed. Carolan caught a glimpse of gold earrings.
"Bless you, my dear," said the woman, "I did not mean to embarrass you.
In a measure you are right; nature does not discriminate when she bestows her gifts. I can see into the future; only... I do not ply my accomplishment as a trade.”
"I... see...”
"Ah! But not so clearly as I see a wonderful fortune for you!”
Carolan was breathless, eager, lips parted, eyes shining; her hood fell back from her glowing hair.
"You can see that for me?”
There is mystery about you.”
Carolan blushed; she was sure the woman knew that she had run away.
"Are you by any chance going to join your lover?”
Carolan was silent. Very soon of course she would join Everard; perhaps it would be sooner than she expected.
"You are running away from your home," went on the woman, her dark eyes shining with prophecy. I see you are greatly loved.”
"You are indeed clever!" said Carolan.
"I will tell you what I will do. I will read your palm; that will tell me more than your face. Come and sit nearer me, my dear. No! I will join you on the window seat.”
Wonderful things could happen to you if you were bold and took from life what you wanted; that was what Carolan was learning. How much older she was now than the girl who had left Haredon but a few days ago! How much wiser than Margaret who would never undertake such an adventure! The kindness of people! The merchant's wife who had befriended her; this lady, who, for no payment at all, would tell her fortune, and just because she had a lucky face!
She sat on the window seat beside Carolan. She smelt of musk.
"Give me your palm, my dear. There! Why, what a little hand! A pretty little hand; and scarcely any hard work has this little hand been forced to do. Perhaps it has gripped a pair of reins, eh? Ah!
You lived quietly in the country, did you not? And a little pet among those with whom you lived. There is much love in your life, child. And in the country you met your lover." A very long thin finger touched Carolan's palm.
"And there was some disagreement, eh, some little bit of trouble?
Disapproval of the match from those who loved you and wanted to keep you with them a little longer?”
Carolan was red and white by turns, for surely she was in the presence of a seer! So it was all written there, was it? Everything that had happened to her.
The woman's fingers closed about her hand.
"Never fear, all will be well. Very soon you will be a wife. Do not be dissuaded from true romance. It is a headstrong little girl you are fond of your own way. Am I not right? Already you know something of the charm those green eyes hold. Well, well, that is natural. One thing, my dear, do not be so ready to trust those around you. I think perhaps you are over-trusting.”
Carolan's eyes were dreamy. It was true, absolutely true. How readily she had trusted Charles at the first show of friendship. How innocently had she believed in the fatherly affection of the squire!
London was indeed an enchanting place; how glad she was that she had come! How wise she had been!