“They’re asking for you, Miss Esther,” he said as he saw her shrink into a dark corner of the adjoining room as he entered it. “O dear! Can’t you hide me somewhere? I don’t want to go. I shall have to dance again. It’s all so terrible, and I don’t believe it’s right, do you, Mr. Cramer?” “No, Esther; but then my opinion should have little weight against so many. I sat down in the circle thinking I might be able to help you. I am really sorry for you, if you are unable to withstand the mesmeric powers of that rascal—for I believe that is all there is of it. Try, if you are obliged to sit with them, to keep control of your own _will_. Put all your soul in opposition to him and don’t forget yourself for a moment. Can’t you?” “I’ll try; oh, I’ll try, but I’m afraid ’twill be no use! Ah, they’re calling me again, and I must go. Come into the room and help me if you can.” Mark reentered, seating himself in one corner of the room outside the circle. The Professor made room for Esther beside himself, but she declined his civility, and passed around to the side of her mother, not noticing, until too late to retreat, that she had placed herself next to Donald Bartram. She flushed slightly as she gave him her hand, humiliated that she should be placed in such a position. Again silence prevailed for the space of several minutes. Donald glanced through half-closed eyes about the circle, noting the placid content of Auntie Dearborn, the grim determination of Solomon Garrett, the complacent expectancy of Mrs. McCleary, the awed, half-frightened look of Lissa, the sly, furtive glance which each Pemberton twin cast frequently at her sister, and he felt a hysterical inclination to laugh. The thought must have been communicated to his companion upon the right, for he felt her fingers tremble in his. He rolled his eyes up to hers with an affected air of terror. Then a ripple of merriment burst from Esther’s lips, in which he joined. The Pemberton twins giggled in unison, while all started and opened their eyes. Russell frowned and demanded quiet, fixing his gray eyes upon Esther. Mrs. McCleary rebuked her daughter, but explained that Esther was “hystericky,” and biting her lips to subdue the nervous inclination to laugh, Esther closed her eyes and quiet was restored. Donald, thrilled by her trembling fingers, dared not again look toward her, and presently he saw Mrs. Jenkinson, his neighbor on the left, begin to jerk spasmodically. Her eyelids quivered, she sighed a few times, then drawing her hands from those who clasped them she began rubbing them briskly together, then slapped them energetically for a moment, while every eye was fixed upon her. She was under “control.” Suddenly she began to speak in a high, shrill voice.