They gazed at her, and whispered to each other, and were generally disposed to consider that the gentlemen were making too much fuss over the matter, and that there was an excellent solution of it, if it could only be found. Meanwhile their husbands were pressing Hannah to fix an evening to give a sitting at their own homes, and promising her all kinds of preparations in honour of her compliance with their entreaties. The Baron stood by listening, and a strange feeling of jealousy came over him, that his guests should attempt to monopolise the powers which he had had so much difficulty in securing for himself. He was determined that Hannah should go to none of their houses. “Excuse me, gentlemen!” he said, laying his hand on her arm; “but you must allow me to have a voice in this matter! I hold the Marchesa in trust for her husband. It was after much persuasion that he permitted her to attend here this evening for the purpose of pleasing my guests, but I am sure he would never hear of her visiting strangers on the same terms. You must forgive me for saying that she can accept no invitations without the Marchese’s leave!” Hannah did not resent his interference, nor withdraw her arm from his grasp--but only murmured, “That is so!” “I had hoped,” said Dr. Derrick, with some degree of offence, “that the Marchesa would have regarded us as friends, after the delightful evening we have spent in her company.” “But not to the extent of giving you sittings for the investigation of your family,” replied Von Steinberg; “the Marchesa is not strong, although she appears so, and as her medical adviser, I am obliged to limit the amount of her séances. Good-night, Doctor! some other time perhaps I may be able to ask you to repeat the experiments of to-night.” The visitors departed, and the butler had announced that the Marchesa’s cab was at the door, when Von Steinberg told him to let it wait. “You must come in here, Hannah, and have a glass of wine or some refreshment after your labours,” he said, leading the way into his dining-room. “I hope you were not vexed at my interference just now, but these people would drain you dry, if you allowed them--not caring one whit, if you sank from fatigue and exhaustion, so long as they gratified their own curiosity concerning you. We must take better care of you than that.” He poured out a glass of wine, and whilst she was drinking it, he put his finger gently on the folds of her white dress and asked, “What made you put on this pretty frock to-night, Hannah? I did not know that you possessed such a one! I hardly recognised you at first--you looked so nice! What a difference dress makes. Forgive me for saying, that I really did not know before this evening, that you were a handsome woman!”