“Ah, that is it. Do you think there would be any harm in that?�
“Why, I think it would be dreadful to be hypnotized; to have any one control your will and make you think and do things you would not do otherwise.�
“I have an idea,� cried Mr. Wylie; “let me try it on you. Come, look me right in the eyes, relax all your muscles and think of nothing but me.� Mr. Wylie fixed his mischievous dark eyes upon his wife.
She closed her own eyes tightly, and turned her face away.
“Never! It would make me forever your slave. I have not much will of my own now, and you would take that away from me. No, thank you!�
“As if a woman ever lived who did not have her own sweet will and way. But, Nellie, you may call upon Mrs. Lucien to-night, and ask her to accompany us. I shall be curious to know her opinion of the Doctor and his hobby.�
“Mne! How kind you are! Man’s curiosity again! Well! I’ll go just to gratify you, but she may not be willing to go to such a place even in your company.�
Mr. Wylie smiled indulgently, but made no reply.
“Horace, I can almost believe Tibby exercises some such influence over Robbie. It is really remarkable, the ease with which she can subdue him, and put him to sleep at any time she desires. Mrs. Harbeck used to fuss for hours.�
“Tibby exercises a power woman has, since the world began—the power of her beauty. Tibby is such a pretty girl, and Robbie is susceptible to it. I remember when I was a youngster, the pretty teachers always had the least trouble with me. Children have aesthetic instincts, and Robbie recognizes the influence, if he does not yet understand it. Dame Harbeck was a good old soul, but she did lack winsomeness. Eh, Nellie?�