“O! no, but I do not see her so often, and never when there is to be a séance! Very unfair, isn’t it? not that I care so much about the séance, but I would not lose Lady Loreley’s goodwill for all the world.” “The Countess believes in Spiritualism then?” “O! yes! entirely! She is always sitting with some medium or other, but she says they are very unsatisfactory. She told me yesterday, that she would give hundreds of pounds to find a medium, who could bring her little Rosie back to speak with her again.” “Much better leave the poor child in peace--wherever she may be!” remarked Mrs. Mostyn with a sneer. “Perhaps you have never lost a child, Mrs. Mostyn,” said the single lady. “No! nor you either, I conclude, my dear,” replied the other, “but all this talk about Spiritualism is only got up for want of a better excitement. For my own part I don’t believe a word of it, and I am sure the Marchesa agrees with me!” “One should be careful to reserve one’s opinion, when one has not inquired into a thing!” replied Hannah, as she reclined on her couch and gently fanned herself. But when her visitors rose to depart, and Miss Selwyn was about to leave the room with the rest of the party, she detained her by a gentle pull at her sleeve. “Wait a moment longer,” she whispered, “I want to speak to you,” and Miss Selwyn, who was only too pleased to be singled out for favour by the Marchesa, dallied with a book of engravings, which lay upon a side table, until the rest were gone. “Tell me more about this poor Countess,” said Hannah, drawing nearer to her; “I feel so interested in any one who has lost a dear child--a girl, I think you said.” “O! yes, Marchesa,” replied Miss Selwyn, “Lady Rose Charleville--such a dear little creature. She died of scarlet fever at seven years old, and though Lady Loreley has married daughters, she has never forgotten her. She always cries when Lady Rose is mentioned.” “Poor dear!” said Hannah, sympathetically, “how I wish I could help her! And I think I could, if she would come and see me!” “Could you _really?_” cried Miss Selwyn, clasping her hands, “O! Marchesa, how she would bless you for it! She would worship you! But how is it to be accomplished?” “That is _my_ secret, my dear! I know more of this matter than I chose to say in public, and if you like to bring your Countess here, I will introduce her to some one who may put her in the way of seeing her child again! But you mustn’t chatter on the subject, for if the Baron heard that I encouraged anything of the sort, he would be very angry. It is not only your mamma, Miss Selwyn, who disapproves of Spiritualism.” “O! I know that, and I would not mention what you have told me for all the world. But when may I bring the Countess here!” “On second thoughts, I think you had better tell her what I have said, and leave her to make her own appointment with me. I could not permit you to assist at our conference, you know, for fear of offending your mamma.”