The girl was beyond question a most rare and exceptional medium.

At one time he had made a close study of psychic phenomena; and though he had come to certain conclusions which had led to his entirely giving up the practices which had once seemed to him the only thing worth living for, he was still sufficiently interested in the subject to feel that Bubbles' powers were well worth watching.
Sir Lyon would have given much to have been present at what, if Helen's account were correct, had been an extraordinary example of what is called materialization.
Had this terrible vision of Mrs.Varick been an emanation of Helen Brabazon's own brain--some subconscious knowledge that she, Helen, was now the object of Varick's pursuit?
Or was this woman, whom they all called "poor Milly," an unquiet spirit, wandering about full of jealous, cruel thoughts, even with regard to the two who had evidently been so selflessly devoted to her--her girl friend and her husband?
And then, suddenly a queer feeling of intense relief swept over him.
Whether a sentient being or not had appeared to Helen Brabazon, there could be no doubt that what had just happened would make the course of Varick's wooing more arduous.

He was ashamed to find that this conviction made him suddenly feel oddly light-hearted--almost, so he told himself, a young man again!.