shall discover him to be a knave. Do not be surprised, madam, if
I speak in answer to your thoughts rather than your expressions;
and tell me once more whether you have courage to look on what I
am prepared to show?"

"I own, sir," said Lady Bothwell, "that your words strike me with
some sense of fear; but whatever my sister desires to witness, I
will not shrink from witnessing along with her."

"Nay, the danger only consists in the risk of your resolution
failing you. The sight can only last for the space of seven
minutes; and should you interrupt the vision by speaking a single
word, not only would the charm be broken, but some danger might
result to the spectators. But if you can remain steadily silent
for the seven minutes, your curiosity will be gratified without
the slightest risk; and for this I will engage my honour."

Internally Lady Bothwell thought the security was but an
indifferent one; but she suppressed the suspicion, as if she had
believed that the adept, whose dark features wore a half-formed
smile, could in reality read even her most secret reflections. A
solemn pause then ensued, until Lady Forester gathered courage
enough to reply to the physician, as he termed himself, that she
would abide with firmness and silence the sight which he had
promised to exhibit to them. Upon this, he made them a low
obeisance, and saying he went to prepare matters to meet their
wish, left the apartment. The two sisters, hand in hand, as if
seeking by that close union to divert any danger which might
threaten them, sat down on two seats in immediate contact with
each other--Jemima seeking support in the manly and habitual