The young girl bent to the salutation of the stranger, and a blush of the softest pink overspread features, throat and arms, reaching even to the ends of the taper fingers, as she timidly replied in monosyllables to the few words of common-place civility he addressed to her. [Illustration] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER XVIII. +A SERIOUS CHAPTER+ ONE morning about a fortnight after Evelyn’s last evening reception, Mr. D’Arcy was announced. “I take the liberty,” said he, “of intruding on a day that I know you are not at home to all the world, in the hope of escaping the usual _toilette_ talk at ladies’ receptions.” “We are happy to see you, on your own terms, Mr. D’Arcy—the more so, as the part of the hostess is rather an ungrateful one. She is forced to converse _chiffons_, and other frivolities, when she would perhaps prefer to philosophize, if ladies ever dare appear so blue.” “It is for this,” replied he, “that I dislike lady’s ‘_days_.’ One can never approach the mistress of the house herself, except to make some common-place observation about the weather, the opera, the ‘première répresentation’ at the Varietés—_qui sait?_” with a French shrug of the shoulders. “Oh, Mr. D’Arcy, in pity do not imitate the French at my house,” exclaimed Evelyn. “If you only knew how their manners—half-monkey, half-hairdresser—annoy me.” “Madame, I stand rebuked,” with a mock respectful bow; “but seriously, though it is treason to say it in so fairy-like a bower, my visit to-day is rather on business than pleasure. I come as ambassador from Mme. de Villiers to endeavor to persuade you, ladies, to come to her this evening, and meet Home, the wonder-working medium, about whom all Paris is talking.” “Forestalled,” exclaimed Evelyn, gaily; “we were initiated yesterday into some of these weird doings, at the house of an English lady.” “Indeed,” said D’Arcy, with evident interest—“and what, may I ask, did you witness?” “Well, we placed ourselves in a circle of about nine persons, and in a few minutes we heard raps; by the alphabet, we were requested to remove the lights, and after we had done so, an accordion, which was lying on the table, ‘discoursed most excellent music,’ _no one touching it_. Then, by the dim light, we perceived a hand, white and beautifully formed—and this hand presented me with a real geranium, and others of the circle with different flowers.” “You are, then, favorably disposed toward the subject of spiritualism?” enquired D’Arcy. “All I saw has deeply impressed me,” replied Evelyn; “and I cannot think it altogether a delusion, for I distinctly felt in my fingers the vibration of the table before each rap, and frequently knew the answer about to be made by the (so-called) spirits, to questions asked by members of the circle.” “Ah! then you must yourself be a medium?”