less exhilarating, for it promises that you will be married three
times, and each time to a wealthy person. On the whole the suit
of clubs is very lucky, but, very appropriately, the deuce
thereof portends some 'unfortunate opposition to your favourite
inclination, which will disturb you.'[80]

[80] According to other authorities, the ace of clubs means a
letter; the nine, danger caused by drunkenness; the eight, danger
from covetousness; the seven, a prison, and danger from the
opposite sex; the six, competence by hard-working industry; the
five, a happy but NOT wealthy marriage; the four, danger of
misfortunes caused by inconstancy or capricious temper; the trey,
quarrels.


The suit of diamonds is by no means so satisfactory as the gem of
a name would seem to indicate; but perhaps we must remember that
this suit represented originally the COMMERCIAL CLASSES, and that
probably this divination by cards was invented by some proud
ARISTOCRAT in those times when tradesmen did not stand so high as
they now do in morality, uprightness, &c. The ace of diamonds
puts you on the qui vive for the postman; it means a LETTER. It
is only to be hoped that it is not one of those nasty things,
yellow outside and blue within--a dun from some importunate
butcher, baker, grocer, or--tailor. The king of diamonds shows a
revengeful, fiery, obstinate fellow of very fair complexion in
your circle; the queen of diamonds is nothing but a gay coquette,
of the same complexion as the king, and not 'over- virtuous'--a
very odd phrase in use for the absence of virtue altogether; the
knave of diamonds is a selfish, impracticable fellow; ten of