“All things must harmonize, or the spirits will not answer. If the girl will not come into the circle, she must leave the room.” It was Mrs. Fordham who spoke.
“The spirits tell me to remain, and I will obey them!” said Adele, with unwavering firmness.
“They are bad spirits!” Dyer almost thundered out the words, his pent-up anger and impatience getting the better of his self-control.
“Lying spirits!” shrieked Mrs. Fordham, catching the excitement of the man.
“Who is to decide?” asked Adele, calmly.
“Heaven’s messenger!” said Mrs. Weir, pointing to Mrs. Fordham. “It is through her that the spirits of the higher spheres descend.”
“Heaven’s messengers don’t rob mothers of their children!” Adele answered. “If there are lying spirits in the case, they have found access to her ears, not mine!”
“Heavens and earth!” exclaimed Dyer, starting to his feet; “what does the girl mean?”
Mrs. Fordham’s self-imposed calmness all departed, and the fire in her eyes shot out toward Adele like serpent-tongues. With three or four quick passes, she restored the little girl who sat in her lap to a half-dreamy consciousness of real things, and then, taking two or three strides toward the door, said, glancing over her shoulder,—
“The same room, Mrs. Weir?”