She didn’t want to sit at all, she said. She had had more than enough of that sort of thing during her married life, and never even wished to hear the subject mentioned. She no longer believed in it--the spirits were not the people they professed to be--she had come to the conclusion that her father and mother were right, and that they were devils sent by the Evil One himself to lure her soul to hell. Von Steinberg reasoned and argued with her to no effect. She remained unmoved by all his persuasions, and since he had only pursued the subject, as a science and not a sentimentality, he gave in to her wishes and said no more about it. He was convinced that Spiritualism was a fact, and resolved to remain satisfied with that knowledge. So--although he longed to see his old friend again, and learn the true reason of his rash act--he decided that it was not worth while annoying Hannah to obtain it. The circumstance, however, made him turn his attention in the direction of other mediums, and in talking with his acquaintances he said, more than once, how anxious he was to fall in with a reliable one. In consequence of this, a man named Colonel Roster said to him one day, “By the way, Von Steinberg, my wife has got hold of a most wonderful medium, and she is to sit at our house this evening. Would you care to join the party?” “Thanks! I should like it exceedingly! There is nothing interests me more. Does this medium produce materialisations?” “O dear yes! Nothing else, I believe! The last time she sat with us, my sister appeared, exactly as she was in life. I could have sworn to her anywhere, and several of our friends have seen their relations. Do come! Mrs. Roster will be delighted to see you!” “I will, with pleasure!” replied the Baron. At the appointed time, he presented himself at the Rosters’ house, and found a large party assembled there, all of whom were talking of nothing but the marvellous powers of Mrs. Brown, the medium who was expected that evening. “Where did you pick her up?” asked the Baron, of the lady of the house. “Through an advertisement in one of the spiritualistic papers,” she replied, “she is rather uncouth at times, but essentially reliable. Indeed, I never met anyone like her before. But here she comes!” Von Steinberg looked up with curiosity, and encountered the form and face of Hannah. CHAPTER XVI. As is usual in such cases, the woman was the first to regain her presence of mind. The encounter was as unexpected to Hannah, as to the Baron, but she evinced no visible sign of surprise. She only stood quite still, as if she had never seen him before. Von Steinberg, on the contrary, was nearly betraying her and himself. He stammered and stuttered and coloured rosy red, but at last managed to utter, “Ah! Mrs. Brown! Of course! I think we have had the pleasure of meeting before,” and advanced towards her, holding out his hand. Hannah accepted the hand, without comment.