Why shouldn't we hold a seance, here and now, and call up spirits from the vasty deep ?" "But will they come ?" quoted Sir Lyon, smiling up into her eager, sensitive little face.
Sir Lyon was quite enjoying Lionel Varick's Christmas house-party.

For one thing, he was interested in his host's personality.

In a small way he had long made a study of Lionel Varick, and it amused him to see Varick in a new role--that of a prosperous country gentleman.
Suddenly Bubbles found an ally in a most unexpected quarter.

Helen Brabazon called out: "I've always longed to attend a seance! I did once go to a fortune-teller, and it was thrilling--." Bubbles stepped down off her footstool.

She had the gift--which her aunt also possessed--of allowing another to take the field.
"If it was so exciting," said Lionel Varick dryly, "I wonder that you only went once, Miss Brabazon." Helen's face grew grave.