"Whatever you do, you must not disturb me nor touch any materialised form you may see without permission from the person. Get the camera ready and use your largest plate, and be prepared to expose by the magnesium light the instant when you get permission by the voice. Now put the red shade over the lamp and turn it down lower."
In the meantime Delapine entered the cabinet and lay down on the couch which was the sole piece of furniture inside it.
Immediately he fell into a kind of trance. The curtains were half open, and the guests could dimly observe him and hear his slow measured breathing.
Slowly a mist seemed to issue forth from the cabinet which gradually condensed into the outlines of a woman attired in a black silk dress with a white lace collar.
In a few seconds the form could be distinctly seen moving towards the guests. She approached Renée who recognised her in the dim light.
"Is that you, darling mother?" she cried, "you don't seem changed a bit."
"Yes, Renée, I am your mother, and you don't appear changed either, as I have seen you ever so many times since I passed over. I have often stood at your bedside and watched over you. Turn the lamp higher, I have power enough left to stand it for a few moments. But I must envelope myself in a white garment just to prevent the light from affecting me."
They turned the light up, and all the guests beheld the features of a beautiful woman with light golden-brown wavy hair, enveloped in a white gauze-like fabric.
"Pray don't touch me," she said to Payot, who tried to put his arms round her. "You will kill my medium if you do."