When the company was again seated in the circle Mark slipped out and removed the handkerchief from the eyes of the prostrate girl. Her face was chalky in its pallor, and there was scarcely a perceptible evidence of respiration. “My God! How like death this is,” muttered Mark as he bent over her. “If she were my daughter she should never come into the presence of that man again. Then he strove to waken her. “Esther, Esther,” he said, shaking her gently by the arm. “Awake!” But not a muscle of the rigid face relaxed. He lifted her hands and slightly punctured the smooth flesh with a pin. She did not wince nor show that she felt it. Again and again he sought to arouse her. Mark was beginning to fear that the sleep was one which would find its awakening in another world, when Russell entered the room. “You can see the result of your spirit-waltz, Professor,” he said. Russell placed his hand upon the girl’s brow. “Ah, yes, she has been taking a fine nap after it. But she is waking up now. Come, Esther, ain’t it about time for you to come out to see us again? I’m afraid you’re a sleepy-head. Come, you’re awake now!” and laughing coarsely, Professor Russell returned to the company. Esther, to Mark’s delight, arose to a sitting posture, passed her hands several times over her eyes as if striving to collect her thoughts, and seeing only Mark present, asked plaintively: “What is it, Mr. Cramer? Where am I? What has happened?” She looked about the room in a bewildered way. Then, as the sound of voices from the adjoining apartment fell upon her ear she turned, and burying her face upon the lounge burst into hysterical weeping. Mark sprang to her side. “Don’t Esther, child! Don’t cry! What is the matter?” “O Mr. Cramer, have I been dancing again? Has that horrible, horrible man made me a waltzing puppet for the people to laugh at? It is too dreadful! What shall I do? What shall I do?” “I am sure there was nothing ridiculous or laughable in your dancing, for it was really artistic; but truly, Esther, are you entirely unconscious when you perform that feat?” “Indeed I am. I could not believe them when they told me about it the first time I danced that way. This time it seemed when I awoke as if I had been dreaming of dancing or of hearing dance-music. _He_ makes me do it, that horrible man! I am sure the spirits have nothing to do with it.” “Your hands are placed some of the time as though dancing with a partner.” “Are they? I can’t help it. I remember nothing since Mr. Bartram made me laugh in the circle,—oh, he was witness to my disgraceful exhibition!—until I seemed to hear the Professor’s voice, and looking up I saw you there.” “You say you seem to have heard dance-music in a dream?”