The pack of thirty-two selected cards is taken, and a card is selected to represent the dealer, supposing he is making the essay on his own behalf; if not, it must represent the person for whom he is acting. In doing this, if the Consultant card be not used, it is necessary to remember that the card chosen should be according to the complexion of the chooser. King or queen of diamonds for a very fair person; king or queen of hearts for one rather dark; clubs for one darker still; and spades only for one very dark indeed. The card chosen also loses its signification, and simply becomes the representative of a dark or fair man or woman as the case may be. This point having been settled, the cards are shuffled, and either cut by the dealer or for him (according to whether he is acting for himself or another person), the left hand being used. That done, they are turned up by threes, and every time two of the same suit are found in these triplets, such as two hearts, two clubs, etc., the highest card is withdrawn and placed on the table in front. If the triplet chance to be all the same suit, the highest card is still to be the only one withdrawn, Say that the person whose fortune is being read is a lady, represented by the queen of hearts, and that fifteen cards are obtained and laid out in the form of a semi-circle in the order they were drawn: The seven of clubs, the ten of diamonds, the seven of hearts, the jack of clubs, the king of diamonds, the nine of diamonds, the ten of hearts, the queen of spades, the eight of hearts, the jack of diamonds, the queen of hearts, the nine of clubs, the seven of spades, the ace of clubs, the eight of spades. The cards having been considered, there are found among them two queens, two jacks, two tens, three sevens, two eights and two nines. It is therefore possible to announce:—"The two queens are supposed to signify the re-union of friends; the two jacks, that there is mischief being made between them. These two tens, a change, which, from one of them being between two sevens, will not be effected without some difficulty; the cause of which, Seven cards are now counted from right to left, beginning with the queen of hearts, who represents the lady consulting the cards. The seventh being the king of diamonds, the following may be said: "You often think of a fair man in uniform." The next seventh card (counting the king of diamonds as one) proves to be the ace of clubs: "You will receive from him some very joyful tidings; he, besides, intends making you a present." Count the ace of clubs as one, and proceeding to the next seventh card, the queen of spades: "A widow is endeavoring to injure you on this very account; and (the seventh card counting the queen as one being the ten of diamonds) the annoyance she gives you will oblige you to either take a journey or change your residence; but (this ten of diamonds being imprisoned between two sevens) your journey or removal will meet with some obstacle." On proceeding to count as before, calling the ten of diamonds one, the seventh card will be found to be the queen of hearts herself, the person consulting; therefore, the conclusion may be stated as: "But this you will overcome of yourself, without needing anyone's aid or assistance." The two cards at either extremity of the half circle are now taken, which are respectively the Repeat the same maneuver, which brings together the ace of clubs and the ten of diamonds: "Good news, which will make you decide on taking a journey, destined to prove a very happy one, and which will occasion you to receive a sum of money." The next cards united, being the seven of spades and the seven of hearts, you say: "Tranquillity and peace of mind, followed by slight anxiety, quickly followed by love and happiness." Then come the nine of clubs and the jack of clubs: "You will certainly receive money through the exertions of a clever dark young man." Queen of hearts and king of diamonds: "Which comes from a fair man in uniform. This recontre announces great happiness in store for you, and the complete fulfillment of your wishes." Jack of diamonds and nine of diamonds: "Although this happy result will be delayed some time through a fair young man, not famed for his delicacy." Eight of hearts and ten of hearts: "Love, joy and triumph." "The queen of spades, who remains alone, is the widow endeavoring to injure you, and finds herself deserted by all her friends." The cards that have been in use are now gathered up and shuffled and cut with the left hand. They are then made into three packs by dealing one to the left, one to the middle, and one to the right; a fourth is laid aside to form "a surprise." Then the cards are continued to be dealt to each of the three packs in turn until their number is exhausted, when it will be found that the left hand and middle packs contain each five cards, while the one on the right hand consists of only four. The person consulting is now asked to select one of the three packs. Supposing this to be the middle one, and that the cards comprising it are the jack of diamonds, the king of diamonds, the seven of spades, the queen of spades, the seven of clubs; recollecting the previous instructions regarding the individual and the supposed relative signification of the cards, they may be easily interpreted as follows: "The jack of diamonds—a fair young man possessed of no delicacy of feeling, seeks to injure—the king of diamonds—a fair man in uniform—seven of spades—and will succeed in causing him some annoyance—the queen of spades—at the instigation of a spiteful woman—seven of clubs—but by means of a small sum of money matters will be easily arranged." The left hand pack is next taken up, which is "for the house" the former one having been for the lady herself. Supposing it to consist of the queen of hearts, the The third pack is "for those who do not expect it," and will be composed of four cards: the ten of hearts, the nine of clubs, eight of spades, and ten of diamonds: "The ten of hearts—an unexpected piece of good fortune and great happiness—nine of clubs—caused by an unlooked for legacy—eight of spades—which joy may be followed by a short sickness—ten of diamonds—the result of a fatiguing journey." There now remains on the table only the card intended for "the surprise." This, however, must be left untouched, the other cards gathered up, shuffled, cut, and again laid out in three packs, not forgetting at the first deal to add a card to "the surprise." After the different packs have been duly examined and explained as before described, they must again be gathered up, shuffled, etc., indeed the whole operation repeated, after which, the three cards forming "the surprise" are examined, and |