Then silent hear, while I discover What I in fortune’s mirror view; And each, when many a year is over, Shall own the gypsy’s sayings true.”

“Dear aunt!” said Antonia when the stranger had finished, “Is she not mad?”

“Mad? Not she, child; she is only wicked. She is a gypsy, a sort of vagabond, whose sole occupation is to run about the country telling lies, and pilfering from those who come by their money honestly. Out upon such vermin! If I were king of Spain, every one of them should be burnt alive who was found in my dominions after the next three weeks.”

These words were pronounced so audibly that they reached the gypsy’s ears. She immediately pierced through the crowd and made towards the ladies. She saluted them thrice in the eastern fashion, and then addressed herself to Antonia.