“No, that is it. I have often told Horace that the doctrine tended to demoralization; but he will not listen to me. Of course there is much that is wrong in the followers of any religion, but this seems especially lowering in its tendency, so far as I have observed.�
“Well, you can see what it has done for my poor Alice. And her sister Lissa is nearly insane from it. It will unbalance the mind if not the moral nature.�
“I suspect you will not be willing to go and hear Mrs. Lucien when she comes to C—— upon her Western tour. I care nothing for the exhibition in itself, but am a little anxious to know how she has developed. I have not seen her since she first began to try her mystic powers, as we went to the Pacific coast soon afterwards.�
“O, yes, I am willing to see your friend. I am not so intolerant as that. She may, as I said, be sincere and self-deceived. Such a condition might be possible. However, it is quite as likely you are deceived in her. By the way, you have a remarkable maid—this Tibby. She is extremely pretty and has wonderful eyes.
“Ah, you are stricken with a shaft from those eyes. I don’t wonder at it. Tibby has been with me ever since she was fourteen, and I have heard that remark over and over again from each one to whom I have introduced her.�
“I could believe she practises hypnotism, though perhaps unconsciously.�
“Ah, I have frequently suggested as much to Horace, but he says it is her beauty. She certainly can do what she wishes with any one. The young men at the summer hotels where we stop swarm about her like bees about a honey jar, but she does not seem to care for them. Sometimes she plays the most absurd tricks upon them. One evening, when we were at the Metropolitan, a young man called whom I had especially recommended to Tibby. I left them in the parlor and stepped out upon the veranda. Shortly, Miss Tibby followed me, her eyes dancing with mischief. ‘Where is Mr. Bevington,’ I asked. ‘In the parlor, asleep,’ she said demurely. I went in, and sure enough, there the fellow sat in an easy chair, sound asleep, his jaw dropped, and looking anything but picturesque and charming. Tibby stood by me, looking wickedly at him.
“‘There, you see how gentlemanly your fine young man is,’ she said. ‘I must be interesting company. Don’t you pity me? Shall I cover him with a shawl and let him sleep?’ I shook my head at her. ‘Better waken him.’
“‘Mr. Bevington, we’ll excuse you if you would rather sleep at home,’ she said. I wish you could have witnessed his confusion when he awoke, as he did immediately upon Tibby’s addressing him. I really pitied the poor fellow. He muttered, of course, something about late hours, etc., but I am satisfied Tibby had something to do with his sleeping. She has, when she chooses, a very soothing influence over one.�
“So I perceive. I saw an instance of her mesmeric power yesterday. She wanted to go and ride upon Tempest (by the way, there is a proof of her strength. Tempest was the worst horse on the ranch) and Robbie insisted upon her staying with him. She sat down upon the horse-block and looked at the child until he came to her as if she had been leading him by a rope.