The Luminaries

I pronounced that your fortune was very gloomy, you would likely ride poorly, because you would be dejected; if I made a favourable forecast , you would likely ride with confidence, and thus do well.’
    ‘All right—I’m not a jockey,’ said Mannering, ‘but I
am
a punter with five pounds riding on a mare called Irish—that’s the truth—and I’m asking you to tell my fortune, good or bad. What’s my forecast?’
    She smiled. ‘I doubt your fortunes would be very much altered by the loss or gain of five pounds, Mr. Mannering; and in any case, you are still seeking proof. Come through into the parlour.’
    The interior of the Wayfarer’s Fortune hardly recalled the grimy establishment at which Mrs. Wells had received Aubert Gascoigne three weeks prior. The widow had ordered drapes, a new suite of furniture, and a dozen rolls of paper in a striking rose-and-thorn design; she had set a number of exotic prints behind glass, painted the stairwell, washed the windows, and papered both front rooms. She had found a lectern, upon which to place her almanac, and several shawled lamps, which she had placed in various situations around the former hotel’s front rooms in order to create a more mystical atmosphere. Mannering opened his mouth to comment upon the transformation—and came up short.
    ‘Why—it’s Mr. Sook,’ he said, in astonishment. ‘And Mr. Quee!’
    The two Chinese men stared back at him. They were sitting cross-legged on either side of the hearth, their faces painted very thickly with grease.
    ‘Do you know these men?’ said Lydia Wells.
    Mannering remembered himself. ‘Only to look at them,’ he said. ‘I do a fair patch of business with the Chinamen, you know—and these boys are familiar faces in Kaniere. How do you do, fellows?’
    ‘Good evening,’ said Ah Sook. Ah Quee said nothing. Their expressions were all but indistinguishable beneath the greasepaint, which exaggerated their features, lengthening the corners of their eyes, emphasising the roundness of their cheeks.
    Mannering turned to Mrs. Wells. ‘What—they have a part in the
séance
, do they? In your employ?’
    ‘This one came by this afternoon,’ Mrs. Wells explained, pointing at Ah Sook, ‘and I had the idea that his presence might add a certain flavour to the
séance
this evening. He agreed to return, and in the event, he did me one better: he brought his friend along. You must agree that two is a good deal better than one. I like an axis of symmetry in a room.’
    ‘Where is Anna?’ said Mannering.
    ‘Oh—upstairs,’ said Mrs. Wells. ‘In fact it was you, Mr. Mannering, who gave me the idea. Your
Sensations from the Orient.
Nothing sells tickets like an Oriental touch! I saw it twice—once from the gallery, and once from the stalls.’
    Mannering was frowning. ‘When is she coming down?’
    ‘Not until the
séance
,’ said Mrs. Wells.
    He started. ‘What—not for the party? She won’t be here for the party?’
    Mrs. Wells turned away to arrange the glasses on the sideboard. ‘No.’
    ‘Why ever not?’ said Mannering. ‘You know there are a dozen men champing at the bit to get a word in with her. They’re shelling out a week’s wages just to get in the door—and it’s all on account of Anna. You’d be mad to keep her upstairs.’
    ‘She must prepare herself for the
séance
. I cannot have her equilibrium disturbed.’
    ‘Poppycock,’ said Mannering.
    ‘Pardon me?’ said Mrs. Wells, turning.
    ‘I said that’s poppycock. You’re keeping her back—for a reason.’
    ‘What do you imply?’
    ‘I lost my best girl in Anna Wetherell,’ said Mannering. ‘I’ve kept my distance for three weeks, out of respect for God knows what, and now I want a chance to speak with her. There’s no such thing as equilibrium disturbed and we both know it.’
    ‘I feel I must remind you that this is a field in which you lack expertise.’
    ‘Expertise!’ said Mannering, contemptuously. ‘Three weeks ago Anna didn’t know equilibrium from her own elbow. This is poppycock , Mrs. Wells. Call her down.’
    Mrs. Wells drew back. ‘I must
also
remind you, Mr. Mannering, that you are a guest in my home.’
    ‘This isn’t a home; it’s a place of business. I’ve paid you three shillings on the surety that Anna would be here.’
    ‘In fact no such surety was given.’
    ‘Hear this!’ said Mannering—who was becoming very angry. ‘I’ll give you another piece of advice, Mrs. Wells, and I’ll give