The herald., 1893-11-26
STRANGE PREDICTIONS.
IA "REMINISCENCES

friend of Lady Bessington, who related
the story to her soon after the prediction
relating to Louis Napoleon had been
fulfilled. In after years, when better
acquainted with Mr.. Dickens, | asked
him about it. He verified the state
ment in every respec., as it is now fur
nished to the readers of the Record
In 1916, in London, Lady Blessington's
receptions were the most celebrated OF
the time. Her drawing rooms were
filled to overflow with literary, political
and social lions. One afternoon her
man servant brought up a card on
which was inscribed "Mdlle. X" The
French girl requested short interview
with her ladyship and backed up her
request with letter OF introduct ion
from = friend of Lady B. residing in
Paris. So Mdlle. Y. was uehered into
one of the salons in which were seated
the hostess and three gentlemen-three
remarkable personages OF different rank
and calling.
Medemoiselle had arrived in London
that very morning, and the epistle she
handed to Lady BleHsington asked that
lady, II it we're within her power, to be
go good as to assist Mdlle X. in better
ing her financial position In the capital
of the United Kingdom. 1t went on to
say that Mdlle Y. was pupil OF the
famous Mdlle. LIE Normsnd. and fol-
lowed the mysterious calling to which
that modern pythoness owes her celeb
rity. When Lady Blessington had
asked her new acquaintance few ques-
tions, the idea came to her of testing,
seance tenante, the hidden faculties of
the young sorceress. She therefore did
not introduce mademoiselle to the
three gentlemen, but explained to them
that the young lady had earned cer-
tain renown in France in her own par
ticular line, and that if they were will
ing she would tell them their fortunes.
Without a moments hesitation the
three gentlemen consented, and Madem-
oiselle began to examine the first of the
three hands very attentively. After a
few moments had elapsed she asked:
''Shall speak to you about your past
or about your future ?"
"Oh, we know our past. Tell us
what will happen to US in years to
come" explained the youngest of the
trio, handsome man with long black
hair, bright eyes and clean shaven
face. And then he added, "but per-
hsps you know us?"
81 arrived from Paris this morning.
have never set foot in London before and
l have never seen any of you until this
afternoon" replied Mademoiselle.
"Then tell us our fortunes" said the
young man.
For you, sir," she said, looking into
his hand, II have nothing but hsppi-
ness. You will be happy. You will
die at an old age and without any suffer-
ing. Nevertheless, you and one of your
children will escape only by miracle
from q violent and dreadful death"
81 thank you, Mademoiselle," said
the handsome young man. as he leaned
back musingly in an armchair.
Mademoieelle then took the hand of
Lady Blessington's second guest-a man
with long torso and very short legs.
He looked very somber and was exceed
ingly pale; his eyes had desthly look
about them, and his heavy mustache
gave him the appearance OF foreigner
an Italian or Frenchman. He was
fairly we'll dressed, but not, styhshIy;
his frockcoas bore signs of excessive
wear, and gave him altogether the ap-
pearsnce OF a gentleNans'a little hard
up" After examining his hand the
young necromancer exclaimed in accents
of surprise:
"Oh. my lady you will laugh at what
l am going to say. What ! have Just
read in Monseur's hand seems to me so
dreadfully absurd !"
Never mind that; say what you have
read" interrupted the somber person
age.
"Well, then, Monsieur, l can repeat
few words from your English poet: All
hail, Macbeth thou shalt be king here
afterp Yes, Monsieur. you will reign"
As she pronounced these words pro-
found expression of surprise was visible
on the features of both the other two
gentlemen and Lady Blessington. Alone
the gentleman to whom 30 extraordinary
a prophecy hand been made remained
impassive. His sad features were not
lightened up in any way, not muscle
of his marble face was seen to quiver.
81 am very much obliged to you, mad
emoiselle," he said, quietly Withdrawing
his hand.
There was an interval of silence, dur
ing which mademoieele looked at all the
persons present without being able to
comprehend why she should have caused
such emotion.
"And II" implored the third guest of
Lany Blessington, holding out a care
fully manicured and supple hand. The
Parisienne made lengthy examination
OF the white palm. Lady Blessington
watched her attentively and perceived
that her new protege was growing very
pale. She, however. found sufficient
strength to reply in natural tone:
This is most strange, monsieur.
Your hand tells me nothing; no, abso-
lutely nothing at all as to your future"
And es she withdrew, accompanied bv
Lady Blessington, she exclaimed, shak-
ing her ladyship's proffercd hand:
Beware of the third gentleman %
"Wby? What did you read ?" inquired
the hostess, unable to conceal her Curl
osity.
"Alss, my lady, that man will com.
nit horrible murder and will be
hanged !"
To whom belonged the three hands
that had just been submitted to so
strange an examination by the pretty
necromancer?
The first was Charles Dickens. Shs
had predicted in his case that he and
one Of his children would only escape by
a miracle from violent death. Toward
the end OF the year 1864 the great Eng
lish novelist, on returning from a visit
to Paris, was in the train that met with
such terrible accident at Stsplehurst.
He was one OF the rare survivors, and