…I who had been duped — not he — he had never been in the police force at all — which so annoyed me, that I awoke! In this dream the significant features (which were fully verified afterwards) are as follows: Tobacco portends a visit to the seaside; a policeman, loss of a pet animal or some much-treasured article; silver, a present of flowers or vegetables; knives a quarrel; red (in the socks and handkerchief), great changes; yellow (in the lady’s dress), treachery on the part of a friend; jewellery in general, trouble; eating, an accident to the teeth; drinking, a visit to a place of entertainment; the swoon, danger from lightning; burglars, breakages; money, minor ailments and a surprise visit.When staying in York Road, Westminster, some years ago, I had the following dream — and I think a more vivid one I have never dreamed. I fancied I was…

…not. Dare not, because my husband would never for- give me if I did. Now, Mr. Bailey, do you under- stand how I became acquainted with your old friend, Mr. Towell. I got to know him because I wanted to know you, and I remembered the robbery for which you were convicted — one of the cleverest and most daring cases of burglaries on record — and thinking that you were still at Dartmoor, I asked Mr. Towell to get me permission to see you.He informed me, however, that you were out of prison, but, at my request, obtained me your present address.””From the cops,’ of course, ma’am?” I interrupted, smothering a curse.”She nodded. “Well, ma’am, “I enquired a trifle, what is it exactly that you want me to do?””Then she came a foot or two nearer and, fixing her brilliant eyes on me with a gaze I wouldn’t care…

…To dream of a white cat is lucky; of a black, either extremely lucky or the reverse; of a tabby, neither lucky nor unlucky; of a tortoiseshell, simply disastrous.Of the many cat dreams that have from time to time been related to me, I think the following are the best examples:Mrs. Smith, who resides in the neighbourhood of Haverstock Hill, Hampstead, writes to me thus:“My daughters and I have on several occasions dreamed of white cats, and our dreams have always been the precursors of astonishing pieces of good luck. Daisy, my eldest daughter, dreamed a black cat sprang on her shoulder and refused to stir, the night before she received tidings that her picture was on the line in the Royal Academy. Vera, my second girl, dreamed she was punting on a lake, which was overcrowded with white cats, that swam about with the keenest enjoyment, every now…