“‘There, you see how gentlemanly your fine young man is,’ she said. ‘I must be interesting company. Don’t you pity me? Shall I cover him with a shawl and let him sleep?’ I shook my head at her. ‘Better waken him.’ “‘Mr. Bevington, we’ll excuse you if you would rather sleep at home,’ she said. I wish you could have witnessed his confusion when he awoke, as he did immediately upon Tibby’s addressing him. I really pitied the poor fellow. He muttered, of course, something about late hours, etc., but I am satisfied Tibby had something to do with his sleeping. She has, when she chooses, a very soothing influence over one.” “So I perceive. I saw an instance of her mesmeric power yesterday. She wanted to go and ride upon Tempest (by the way, there is a proof of her strength. Tempest was the worst horse on the ranch) and Robbie insisted upon her staying with him. She sat down upon the horse-block and looked at the child until he came to her as if she had been leading him by a rope. “‘I think you may as well sleep while I am gone,’ she said, ‘to keep you out of mischief.’ To my surprise the little fellow dropped down by the side of the block and appeared to be asleep in a minute. He slept until she returned from her ride, when she awakened him, and they both came in together.” “You don’t think there is any harm in it? It will not hurt Robbie?” asked Mrs. Wylie anxiously. “I have learned to rely upon her so completely.” “Perhaps not, though I have heard that it weakens the will to be frequently mesmerized. But we’ll hope she does not abuse her power.” “Really, Mark, I believe I obey Tibby myself. We have never disagreed upon anything yet, that I did not yield, I am sure. And when I have a headache she can sooth it away with her touch.” “Tibby has a very positive character. I fancy Donald is interested in her already.” “Donald! Why, I thought they told me he was fond of Esther McCleary.” Mark smiled. “I do not know—possibly. Meanwhile, have I your permission to talk with your protege on the subject of mesmeric influences?” “Most assuredly, or upon any other subject. But really, Mark, isn’t there something uncanny about a person possessed of such power?” Again Mark smiled. “You are possessed of the intolerance of our forefathers. You would not suffer a witch to live.” “Well, it does seem as if such a person had a familiar spirit. We are commanded to abhor such, and in olden time they were put to death, it is true.” “I do not class hypnotists with spirit-mediums,” Mark replied. “And I have an idea with regard to Tibby which may be useful. She should be able to exorcise other evil influences, as did the priests of old. I’d like to pit her against Russell.” “Russell? O, yes, he’s the man to whom you ascribe Alice’s perversion of mind. Well, I wish she might be able to. I wish she might.” CHAPTER XXIII THE COUNTERPLOT