"Bertie will tell her everything he knows about himself, and about every one else in whom either he or she takes the slightest interest. Then he'll go on to tell her character, and prophesy her future, and she'll confide in him, and he'll give her good advice. He always tells fortune-tellers their fortune. That's why he's so popular in the occult world," said Felicity. "Wonder they stand it," said Bob. "Why, naturally, they enjoy it. Mustn't they get frightfully bored, poor things, with talking all the time about other people, and be only too thankful and delighted to be allowed to talk about themselves a little? Fancy how refreshing it must be; what a relief! Think of the tedium of always bothering about perfect strangers--pretending to care about their luck and their love affairs, their fortunes and their failures, and all their silly little private affairs. It must be absolutely fascinating for them to meet a person so interested in other people as Bertie." "Perhaps he only does it out of kindness," said Vera. "I shouldn't wonder. Asks them questions and shows interest just to please them." "Well, I call it infernal cheek," said Bob resentfully. "Not at all. Some people aren't always absorbed in themselves," said Vera, with a reproachful look as she gave Bob a cup of tea. At this moment Sylvia was announced. She looked very happy and excited. "I hope I'm not too late. I only want to ask Madame Zero _one_ question. I shan't be a moment." "Of course you shall, dear, and I know you won't keep her long, as she'll be very tired now after seeing us all. Now, Sylvia"--Vera turned to Felicity--"is unusual. She's neither curious about other people nor intensely interested in herself." "I don't mind how interested people are in themselves, so long as they're interesting people," said Felicity. "Do you call it taking too much interest in oneself to want to back a winner just once--for a change? I had tips straight from the stable about three horses yesterday, at Haydock Park. And I give you my word, Lady Chetwode, they all went down." "Dead certainties never seem to do anything else," Felicity answered. "Mind you, it was partly my own fault," continued Bob. "If I'd had the sense to back Little Lady for the Warrington Handicap Hurdle Race--as any chap in his senses would have done after her out-jumping the favourite and securing a lead at the final obstacle in the Stayer Steeplechase, I should have got home on the day--or at any rate on the week. But then, you see, I'd seen her twice refuse at the water--and I was a bit too cautious, I suppose!" "You generally are," murmured Vera, but he did not hear, having sunk into a racing reverie. Bertie appeared through the curtains. "I congratulate you, Mrs. Ogilvie. Your soothsayer is a marvel." "Isn't she!" triumphantly said his hostess. "It's the most extraordinary thing I ever came across in my life. She simply took my breath away. Yes, tea, please. She's a genius."