This she now unfastened, and taking out the pin that had joined it together, held it above the well, which showed, as in a mirror, her leaning face and curving form, her wealth of hair, her frightened yet hopeful eyes, and the rise and fall of her bosom, filled with anxiety and superstitious awe.

She had come to test her future--to foresee her fate--at Gethin Wishing-Well.

For an instant she poised the pin, her lips at the same time murmuring some simple charm--then dropped it into the well's clear depths, and watched it fall.

As she did so, another figure seemed to glide upon the liquid mirror, at the sight of which she clasped her hands and trembled.

Superstitious as she was, Harry had only half expected that her foolish curiosity would be actually gratified.