While Matheus was doing thus the Marquise, who sat in front of the doctor, felt her brow grow heavy, her eyes close, and a deep stupefaction take possession of her. She soon felt that sleep was overpowering her, and after a few attempts to resist it, her head sunk on her bosom, and leaning back in her chair, she was completely overpowered.
"My daughter is sick," said the Prince, hurrying to Aminta.
"No, sir," said the physician coldly, "she only sleeps."
"She sleeps," said all who witnessed the scene, and who were evidently surprised.
THE SOMNAMBULIST.
"She sleeps!" said Matheus, pointing to Aminta, "and to fall so suddenly into that state when I did not intend it, shows her to be very impressionable and nervous."
"The Prince," said the Marquis, "has often told me she is a somnambulist."
"I am no longer amazed," said Von Apsberg, "at the spontaneity of her sleep."
"Is it true," said the Prince, "that somnambulists have the power of being able to see what is taking place in remote spots—that they can transport themselves to remote places and accompany the persons who are pointed out to them?"
"All these phenomena are real," replied the doctor, "but they demand the most perfect lucidity in the person magnetized."