nces; that
our rapport was antagonistic." Mr. Vigors then told her to dismiss my
image, and conjure up that of Dr. Jones. Therewith the somnambule became
more tranquil, and said: "Dr. Jones would do well if he would be guided
by higher lights than his own skill, and consult herself daily as to the
proper remedies. The best remedy of all would be mesmerism. But since
Dr. Lloyd's death, she did not know of a mesmerist, sufficiently gifted,
in affinity with the patient." In fine, she impressed and awed Mrs.
Ashleigh, who returned in haste, summoned Dr. Jones, and dismissed
myself.

"I could not have conceived Mrs. Ashleigh to be so utterly wanting in
common-sense," said I. "She talked rationally enough when I saw her."

"She has common-sense in general, and plenty of the sense most common,"
answered Mrs. Poyntz; "but she is easily led and easily frightened
wherever her affections are concerned, and therefore, just as easily as
she had been persuaded by Mr. Vigors and terrified by the somnambule,
I persuaded her against the one, and terrified her against the other. I
had positive experience on my side, since it was clear that Lilian had
been getting rapidly worse under Dr. Jones's care. The main obstacles
I had to encounter in inducing Mrs. Ashleigh to consult you again
were, first, her reluctance to disoblige Mr. Vigors, as a friend and
connection of Lilian's father; and, secondly, her sentiment of shame
in re-inviting your opinion after having treated you with so little
respect. Both these difficulties I took on myself. I bring you to her
house, and, on leaving you, I shall go on to Mr. Vigors, and tell him
what is done is my doing, and not to be undone by him; so that matter
is settled. Indeed, if you were out of the question, I should not suffer
Mr. Vigors to re-introduce all these mummeries of clairvoyance and
mesmerism into the precincts of the Hill. I did not demolish a man I
really liked in Dr. Lloyd, to set up a Dr. Jones, whom I despise, in his
stead. Clairvoyance on Abbey Hill, indeed! I saw enough of it before."

"True; your strong intellect detected at once the absurdity of the whole
pretence,--the falsity of mesmerism, the impossibility of clairvoyance."

"No, my strong intellect did nothing of the kind. I do not know whether
mesmerism be false or clairvoyance impossible; and I don't wish to know.
All I do know is, that I saw the Hill in great danger,--young ladies
allowing themselves to be put to sleep by