The Argosy, Vol. 33

This May 1882 issue of *The Argos* presents Chapter XVII of the serialized novel "Mrs. Raven's Temptation" by an unnamed author. The chapter, titled "The Oriental Mystery," concerns Frank Raven's visit to the Connell household, where he is reunited with Miss Alice Cleare, a young woman he had previously encountered and who now serves as companion to his mother. The narrative explores Frank's growing affection for Miss Cleare while the family discusses various topics, including a mysterious Italian lodger named Marco Learli and a fortune-teller operating from "Daylight Villa" near the railway station—the so-called "Oriental Mystery." Percy Connell recounts his recent visit to this fortune-teller, describing her cryptic pronouncements in the darkened parlor. The text emphasizes themes of identity, romance, and the allure of mysticism among credulous visitors seeking answers about their origins.