“Madam—You were destined to choose the lily.
“Signed H. PANKY.”
And I shake the envelope out to produce a lovely lily, which was the
flower the lady preferred.
_Explanation._—The cards were eight sets of four, which were
respectively the spade king, the eight of diamonds, ace of hearts, and
knave of hearts. Consequently, wherever the choice fell it was sure to
light on the cards which were named in the letter previously prepared.
The dominoes were placed in the box face up, as usual, but the bottom
row was composed of the series which you wish to come out. On putting
them on the table place the prepared lot on your left hand. If the
right-hand lot should be chosen, quietly remove it, saying that you put
it out of the way, and we will use the other (for it seems perfectly
fair that the choice should as well exclude as include the lot). In the
same way deal with the other rows so as to have the prepared set in any
case.
The three names of flowers, or the flowers themselves, painted on a
board, have the one to be selected somewhat prominent, and, with a
little art, you can always induce a lady to mark the desired one. (_See_
directions to “force a card,” in _The Secret Out_.)