“That is true. I’ve often told Horace that they could get along all right until some question was asked which the mind-reader could not find out about, and then they fail. I have heard that only inferior spirits are capable of producing psychical phenomena.” “So we have the Indian children and big medicine-men to instruct us so much. Strange that people should pin their faith to the utterances of spirits of those with whom they would not associate were they living upon earth.” “After all, it’s the making a religion of it that I object to,” said Mrs. Wylie, “and letting these communications, wherever evolved, control one’s morals and living.” “Did you ever know a person made better by giving up his religion and substituting spiritism?” “No, that is it. I have often told Horace that the doctrine tended to demoralization; but he will not listen to me. Of course there is much that is wrong in the followers of any religion, but this seems especially lowering in its tendency, so far as I have observed.” “Well, you can see what it has done for my poor Alice. And her sister Lissa is nearly insane from it. It will unbalance the mind if not the moral nature.” “I suspect you will not be willing to go and hear Mrs. Lucien when she comes to C—— upon her Western tour. I care nothing for the exhibition in itself, but am a little anxious to know how she has developed. I have not seen her since she first began to try her mystic powers, as we went to the Pacific coast soon afterwards.” “O, yes, I am willing to see your friend. I am not so intolerant as that. She may, as I said, be sincere and self-deceived. Such a condition might be possible. However, it is quite as likely you are deceived in her. By the way, you have a remarkable maid—this Tibby. She is extremely pretty and has wonderful eyes. “Ah, you are stricken with a shaft from those eyes. I don’t wonder at it. Tibby has been with me ever since she was fourteen, and I have heard that remark over and over again from each one to whom I have introduced her.” “I could believe she practises hypnotism, though perhaps unconsciously.” “Ah, I have frequently suggested as much to Horace, but he says it is her beauty. She certainly can do what she wishes with any one. The young men at the summer hotels where we stop swarm about her like bees about a honey jar, but she does not seem to care for them. Sometimes she plays the most absurd tricks upon them. One evening, when we were at the Metropolitan, a young man called whom I had especially recommended to Tibby. I left them in the parlor and stepped out upon the veranda. Shortly, Miss Tibby followed me, her eyes dancing with mischief. ‘Where is Mr. Bevington,’ I asked. ‘In the parlor, asleep,’ she said demurely. I went in, and sure enough, there the fellow sat in an easy chair, sound asleep, his jaw dropped, and looking anything but picturesque and charming. Tibby stood by me, looking wickedly at him.