SCENE II.—_The room of MADAME DEVINERESSE. She is seated in

an arm-chair, R. C. On the table before her are placed an hour-glass and a pack of cards, a small mirror, and an open book. Charts covered with mystical characters are hung on the walls. A sickle, a stuffed eagle, and any other emblematic figures which can be obtained, are disposed around the room. A small picture (of any design) is hung up where it will be reflected into the mirror when held by JOE. Each time he lays down the mirror, the picture is changed without attracting his attention. JOE is ushered in by FAUSTINA, L._

JOE. You are the fortune-teller, I presume, madame.

MADAME DEVINERESSE. Yes; I am called so by those whom I serve. I unveil the secrets of the future to those who desire to know them. Do you wish to look into the magic mirror?

J. I should like to know something of the future.

MME. D. You shall do so. Bring me the magic mirror, Faustina. (_F. passes mirror to her._) Young man, approach. (_J. draws near._) You wish to learn something of the future. (_J. bows._) You are permitted to look three times into this mirror, where you will see three scenes in your future life. Take it into your own hands. (_J. does so._) What do you see?

(_Exit FAUSTINA, R._)

J. I see a school-room. There are many people present. It must be examination day.

MME. D. Do you see yourself there?

J. Yes; the other scholars are all crowding about me, and seem to be congratulating me for some reason. The teacher has come forward, and presents me with a richly bound book.

MME. D. That picture represents a scene in your life _three_ years hence, when you will leave this school. You will graduate as first scholar in your class. You see yourself as having just delivered the valedictory. The other pupils are congratulating you, but many of them are envious at the distinction accorded you, and which you have so richly merited.

(_JOE’S face beams with pleasure. MME. D. holds out her hand for the mirror. Taking it, she wipes it carefully, lays it on the table, waves her wand over it three times, and then returns it to JOE._)

MME. D. What see you now, young man?

J. A crowded court-room. A case has just been tried. I am the centre of a crowd of people, who are pressing up to shake hands with me. The opposing lawyer sits at a little distance, casting glances of bitterness toward me.

MME. D. That picture represents a scene _fifteen_ years hence. You have gained a famous law-suit, which has placed you, though young, in the front ranks of your profession. Envious persons have maligned you, and opponents assailed you; but, without deigning to notice them, you have steadily gone on, till you have attained a high position in the profession which you adorn.

(_MME. D. again takes the mirror. Taking a box from the table, she shakes on the surface of the mirror a white powder. Wiping it carefully, she makes passes over it with her wand, and hands it to the young man. He gazes upon it for a moment in silence, and with pleased wonder. MME. D. looks on benignantly._)

MME. D. The picture pleases you, then. What does the mirror disclose?

J. I see a beautiful house. On the balcony a gentleman is standing. He is addressing a throng of people who are assembled before the house. They wave their hats, and are full of enthusiasm. What does it mean?

MME. D. Do you not recognize the gentleman?

J. It looks like myself, but cannot be, for it is too old.

(_MME. D. takes the mirror, and gazes on it for a moment._)

MME. D. It does look somewhat older, and more mature. But why should it not? It represents you as you will appear _thirty_ years hence. You have steadily pressed onward, distancing all with whom you started at school. You have just been elected as member of Congress, and the people, wild with enthusiasm, are shouting your name, and calling for a speech. (_JOE gazes, as if spellbound, on the mirror._) Are you satisfied with the glimpses of the future which I have given you?

J. (_with dignity befitting his future position, and, returning the mirror to her_). Yes, my good woman, you have done very well.

MME. D. There are few persons to whom such a brilliant future opens. Whenever the glass has mirrored such scenes as I have shown you, it loses power ever after to delineate scenes in _common_ lives. I therefore present it to you, that, when depressed by the trials of life, you may gain courage by gazing at its magic surface. I will place it in a box, in which it must always be kept. Otherwise, it will lose all its power.

(_Exit MME. D., R._)

J. (_pacing back and forth_). And this is to be the end of my career! No, not the end, for I may yet become President. I wonder what Harry, Dick, and Walter would say, if they knew what I do. They have always thought I put on airs; but they will, some time, realize that it was only my natural dignity, which could not fail to assert its superiority to the common herd around me. (_Enter MME. D., with box, which she hands to JOE._)

MME. D. Here is the precious mirror. (_J. takes it._) Handle it carefully. When not in use, on no account leave it out of the box. It is capable of producing other scenes in your life than those which I have shown you. Whenever you wish to test it, you have but to wipe its surface carefully, wave your hand over it three times, and it will produce your image and surroundings more faithfully than they have yet been shown you.

J. Thank you, madame, for your great, your inestimable gift. I will guard it sacredly, and, when I become famous and powerful, I will reward you as you deserve.

(_Curtain falls._)