“O, as for Esther, I don’t think she need yield to his power if she prefers not to. She can avoid him.� Lissa spoke sharply.
“Not when her mother compels her to see him. My child, do you really believe in spiritism yourself?�
“Why, Nate, what a question for you to ask! I am sure you are the one who gave the most credence to it when I first knew you. I didn’t take any stock in it then.�
“And now?�
“And now I think there’s something in it which cannot be accounted for in any other way, and—I think it is a blessed thought that our friends are near us after death.�
“I don’t know whether it is or not. It can’t be pleasant for them to be witnessing all the pain and suffering which we are perhaps bearing. If we are promised happiness in the other world it would seem a poor fulfilment of it to me. I could not be happy if I could look back and see you suffering for food and not be able to provide it.�
“I was not thinking so much of their happiness, I confess, Nathan,� Lissa murmured. “But if I should die, and be happy, wouldn’t you like to feel that I was near you? Wouldn’t you like to hear from me?�
“But how could I be sure of it? I think I should prefer you did not have to worry over me any more. I was really startled by a remark made by Major Walden the other day. In the course of conversation I chanced to allude to Professor Russell in some way, and spoke of his being a spirit-medium. The Major turned on me with more anger and vehemence than I have ever before seen in him and said, ‘Bartram, in God’s name have nothing to do with one of those mediums! Shun him as you would a rattlesnake that crawls in the grass at your feet, for I tell you his bite is as deadly, and you never know when he may strike. On no account give him access to your home and family. As you value your present peace of mind or your domestic happiness, never let him cross your threshold!’ I was a trifle knocked out, but I told him the medium had been and was a friend of the family and frequent visitor at my house, and that he appeared to be a respectable and intelligent man. ‘Yes,’ he replied, ‘the Devil may wear the garb of a saint, but he’s not to be trusted for all that. I pray you be warned, and shun the fellow in time, as you would old Clovenhoof himself! I know what I’m talking about.’ I suppose Walden is prejudiced for some reason, but I can’t help wishing Russell did not come here.�
“I’m sure I can’t see what possible harm he can do here,� Lissa replied.
“But about Alice. She was not looking well to-night, and I am sorry to have her oppose Mark.�