THE TRUE READING OF THE
PARALLELOGRAM; ADJUSTED IN
A SYSTEM OF ALTERNATIVES

In transcribing this "Tavola," the Editor has somewhat modernized the spelling and capitalizing, for the convenience of the reader. With reluctance, but of necessity, he has also amended—or emended—the phrasing, where it is in the original hardly consonant with modern taste.

The Ace.

As a Master-Card, a special Emotional Experience. Influenced by a King of like Suit, there is figured an Intimate Friend, or one in whom the Querist is much bound. By a Queen of like Suit—an Emotion for a Woman of beauty and charm. By a Knave of like Suit, an Attachment to a Man younger than the Querist. Influenced by any high heart other than those above, an Amorous or Affectionate Temper of mind or body. By a low heart, an impressionable, kindly Nature. These are Five Special Interpretings. The more general are: influenced by a Diamond, Good Fortune in something, measured by the degree of the Influencing Card. By a Club, a Talent or Gift to be made much of. By a Spade, an Error, or Disappointment, in the degree of the influencing card.

The King.

As Master-Card, is figured that the Querist deals or has had much to do with a Man of fair skin and light type, of good temperament. Influenced by an Ace of like suit, one notably unselfish. By Knave, a Lover, Husband, Friend. By a Queen, a Love-match. By a Diamond, a Man of Wealth or artistic nature. By a high club, a Man of Energy withal; by a low club, one of Prudence. By a Spade, a man of some defect of Temperament, or of a Chronic Malady or Blemish, ominous to him and others.

The Queen.

As Master-Card, is referred to specially, an amiable, affectionate Woman, rather one sentimental than of intellect. Influenced by like suit, if an Ace, she is admired of Many; if a King, she is wedded, betrothed, or beloved by one in especial. By a Knave of like suit, she is beloved by a Male Relative in especial, not of her own near family. By other cards of like suit, degrees of regard. By a Diamond, a Woman gifted, and esteemed much in Modish Life. By a Club, though not learned she appreciates knowledge in others. By a spade, she is not of firm health; or not of wholly firm Virtue.

The Knave.

As Master-Card—the Querist's closest Friend; yet likely held such because of feeling rather than judgment. Influenced by an Ace of like suit, there is no Inequality in the affection. By a King of like suit, Resemblance to the Querist in physique or mind or disposition. By a Queen of like suit, one with distinctively feminine traits. By another card of like suit, a popular man with his fellows. By a diamond, of wealth or social Position; but if by a Nine of Diamonds, not enduring in such Happy Fortune. By a Club, a Friend of judgment and good at advice. By a Spade, a Friend of not too sound health: or apt of offence.

Ten.

As Master-Card, a general reference to Matrimony, as being ever the card-matrimonial. Influenced by like suit, a High-Marriage and that auspicious: by a low heart, a Marriage not one's first or first-wished. By a Diamond, a Marriage with money in it. By a Club, a Marriage of reason or of circumstances. By a Spade, an Interrupted or more or less Disastrous Match.

Nine.

As Master-Card: a Card of Good Augury for what we wish for Another. Influenced by its like suit, an unexpected Meeting, with a person much affected or desired. By a Diamond, a Pleasure in store. By a Club, a Wish partly fulfilled, rather than wholly. By a Spade, a Wish fulfilled but followed by some detrimental Event.

Eight.

As Master-Card, a Love-Interest. As influenced by like suit, an Interest of much Romance. By a Diamond, a Lost Article recovered. By a Club, the Victory in a difference or argument as to some plan or act. By a Spade, a Caprice to warm the heart; or a new Article of dress or household stuff.

Seven.

As Master-Card: the Card of Trust and Confidence approved of. Influenced by like suit, honest Love, or Family regard. By a Diamond, wise Trust in a commercial or social step. By a Club, in a Secret. By a Confidence misplaced in a person or event.

Six.

As Master-Card: A strong Inclination, a Desire, or Action is well rewarded. Influenced by like suit, it concerns another even more than ourselves, or as much. By a Diamond, a step of social or artistic or pecuniary vantage; save if the diamond be the nine, which leaves the result in Doubt of full success. By a Club, a Matter of Judgment and practical bearing, seen and discussed of others; or a Remark, or a Letter of more consequence than would appear. By a Spade, an Inclination or desire, not wholly honorable: or of brief realization.

Five.

As Master-Card, an amusing and diverting Affair heard of, or entered into. Influenced by its like suit, a Feeling not hitherto returned is met at last. By a Diamond, a Success in some-thing particularly wished. By a Club, a keen and shrewd Chance at a remark to be well caught. By a Spade, an Ache, Pain, or Breaking.

Four.

As Master-Card, is figured the existence of an obstinate Sentiment toward one, or an Opinion not of our own building up. Influenced by the like suit, it is troublesome, causing thought, new to one, or burdensome. By a Diamond, it is known to others, or guessed. By a Club, it is apt to lead to acts officious or of manoeuvre. By a Spade, it is a Sentiment based on error and lack of full insight; or it will be abruptly weakened.

Three.

An Act of Charity and Generosity, by or toward the Querist, if read as Master-Card. Influenced by like suit, Action in a matter of very confidential sort. By a Diamond, it is in part a Matter of Money or Office or from a Superiour—and may be associated with an investment, a society, an entertainment. By a Club, it figures a Visit, or Visitor. By a Spade, a Change of Opinion in some near matter is enjoined, or the Loss of a good will; or a Surprise not welcome wholly.

Two.

As Master-Card, favorable News, or a Letter acceptable. If influenced by its like suit, the Person from whom it comes, or also referred to in it, is much valued, or a near Relative. By a Diamond, a Present, a Visit, a Meeting of service, a Letter, respectively. By a Club, a "yes" in a matter open. By a Spade, it concerns Another more than the Querist; or else will not be altogether correct in statement.

The Ace.

As Master-Card, a tangible and material Success in some Matter of Society, Money, Art, or Office. Influenced by a King of like suit, a Loss recovered. By any other card of like suit, Information and certainty of an Affair of purchase, bargain or sale, much to advantage. By a Heart, a wise Marriage, the settlement of a Difference, an open matter closed to satisfaction. By a Club, a prudent Choice. By a Spade, a Cost or expense, perhaps a loss, before a satisfactory and favorable Event, or in course of it.

The King.

As Master-Card, is figured a brilliant, honorable and successful Man, of standing and perhaps of marked taste in art, belles-lettres and the like; and gifted in them. Influenced by its like suit, a Man with much original in him, shrewd in money or gift. By a Heart, a Male Character of kindly and humane traits; or one sensitive and easily moved in his mood. By a Club, a Man in professional life, and of good mental balance. By a Spade such a life is threatened or broken, or not free from Self-seeking at others' expense.

The Queen.

As Master-Card is indicated the existence of a brilliant, gifted Woman; fond of social life and modish things, of dress or expensive and rare matters; perhaps of Talent in art or literature. Influenced by