religion
Out of context: Reply #979
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"Go, Helen; don't irritate him," I heard Bagwell say. She gave a quick, despairing glance from one man to the other; then, turning, left the room. "And now, Mr. Thesiger," I said, "will you not grant me the favour of a séance?" Mr. Thesiger remained gravely silent for a moment; then he said: "By virtue of your power as a medium, you may be able to hear the voice, and so convince Dr. Laurier of its reality."
He then proceeded to go through some elaborate operations, and finally kneeling at the altar, began to speak Hindustanee.
It was about the strangest scene I had ever witnessed; and though I stood almost at his elbow, I could hear no sound whatever but his own voice.
"Siva will not speak to-night," he said, rising; "there must be some one here whose influence is adverse. I cannot hear him. It is strange!"
He looked puzzled, and more relieved than otherwise.
"You will go to bed now, sir," said Bagwell; "you look very tired."
"I am," he replied. "I will leave my friends with you, Jasper. You will see that they have all they want." He bade Laurier and me a courteous good-night, nodded to his nephew, and left the room.
"This is the most extraordinary phase of mental delusion I ever heard of," I said. "If you will permit me, Mr. Bagwell, I will examine this idol more particularly."
"You can do so if you please," he said, but he did not speak in a cordial tone.
"Examine it to your heart's content," he continued a moment later; "only pray don't disarrange it—he seems to know by instinct if it is touched. Bah! it is sickening. Shall we go into another room, gentlemen?"