That evening we had the room as full as it could hold. Signor Velotti _alias_ Melchior astonished them. The cards appeared to obey his commands--rings were discovered in lady's shoes--watches were beat to a powder and made whole--canary birds flew out of eggs. The audience were delighted. The entertainment closed with Fleta's performance on the slack wire; and certainly never was there anything more beautiful and graceful. Balanced on the wire in a continual, waving motion, her eyes fixed upon a point to enable her to maintain her position, she performed several feats, such as the playing with five oranges, balancing swords, etcetera. Her extreme beauty--her very picturesque and becoming dress-- her mournful expression and downcast eyes--her gentle manner, appeared to win the hearts of the audience; and when she was assisted off from her perilous situation by Melchior and me, and made her graceful courtesy, the plaudits were unanimous. When the company dispersed I went to her, intending to praise her, but I found her in tears. "What is the matter, my dear Fleta?" "O nothing! don't say I have been crying--but I cannot bear it--so many people looking at me. Don't say a word to Melchior--I won't cry any more." PART ONE, CHAPTER TWELVE. IT IS VERY EASY TO HUMBUG THOSE WHO ARE SO EAGER TO BE HUMBUGGED AS PEOPLE ARE IN THIS WORLD OF HUMBUG--WE SHOW OURSELVES EXCESSIVELY DISINTERESTED, WHICH ASTONISHES EVERYBODY. I kissed and consoled her; she threw her arm round my neck, and remained there with her face hid for some time. We then joined the others at supper. Melchior was much pleased with our success, and highly praised the conduct of Timothy and myself, which he pronounced was, for the first attempt, far beyond his expectations. We continued to astonish all the good people of -- for five days, when we discovered the indubitable fact, that there was no more money to be extracted from their pockets, upon which we resumed our usual clothes and smock-frocks and with our bundles in our hands, set off for another market town, about fifteen miles distant. There we were equally successful, and Melchior was delighted with our having proved such a powerful acquisition to his troop; but not to dwell too long upon one subject, I shall inform the reader that, after a trip of six weeks, during which we were very well received, we once more returned to the camp, which had located within five miles of our last scene of action. Everyone was content--we were all glad to get back and rest from our labours. Melchior was pleased with his profits, poor little Fleta overjoyed to be once more in the seclusion of her tent, and Nattee very glad to hear of our good fortune, and to see her husband. Timothy and I had already proved ourselves so useful, that Melchior treated us with the greatest friendship and confidence--and he made us a present out of the gains, for our exertions; to me he gave ten, and to Timothy five, pounds.