“Yes! and I know the reason of your reticence now, into the bargain,” replied the Baron angrily. “Are you aware _who_ came back through you this afternoon, and held converse with me?--_who_ told the story of his death and why he had left this world so suddenly--_who_ has asked for me again and again, in order to tell me the truth, but whom you have kept away because you were afraid of what revelations he might make?” “Not in the least,” said Hannah, insolently, though her face had become very fixed during her husband’s questions. “You are lying to me--you _do!_” exclaimed the Baron, “I should have gone on for the rest of my life, poor fool that I am! fancying that you had come to regard the practice of Spiritualism as wrong and harmful, and refraining from asking you to act contrary to your principles, had it not been for the idle tongues of two men in the club this afternoon, who were discussing these séances of yours without knowing that I was within hearing. Though I could hardly believe my ears, I returned home to find they were correct in what they had said--and when I joined your circle, Ricardo came back to me--Ricardo, your late husband and my dearest friend--Ricardo, whom you----” “Be careful what you say,” interposed his wife, “if you make accusations against me, which you have no means of proving, I will have satisfaction from you in a court of law. Professor Ricardo died from the effects of poison, administered by his own hand--that was the certificate of death I believe, written by yourself. What will people say, if you deny it now?” The Baron was staggered by her coolness and perspicuity! It was true; he had no proofs to bring forward of his assertion. “I would believe the word of my dead friend before the evidence of my own senses,” he replied, less vehemently. “Ricardo was too good to you during his lifetime to bring a false and unnecessary accusation against you now! I may never be able to prove it, but I am as convinced of the truth as if I had seen it done, and I will never live with you again--so help me God!” Still Hannah was perfectly unmoved. “That is of little consequence to me,” she answered; “so long as you make me a suitable allowance. But you will be forced to do that! I will not consent to a separation, unless it is legally settled by law!” Karl von Steinberg gazed at her in silent amazement. Was she bewitched? “What has come to you in the last few months?” he said, “you are not the same woman that you used to be!” “How do you know what sort of woman I used to be?” she asked him, quickly. “I mean, when we first met you--poor Ricardo and I--at Mrs. Battleby’s. You were modest and humble then--shy and retiring--you were an amiable, good-humoured girl, only anxious to please and oblige! Now--my God! what a difference!--I should never have known you for Hannah Stubbs!” “Who is Hannah Stubbs?” demanded the Marchesa.