"If you will say it quickly," she began. "Otherwise--"
The old gentleman drew a breath as if to steady himself. It was plain that he was very strongly moved beneath his self-command: his air of cheerful geniality was gone.
"I will say it in one sentence," he said. "It is this: You are ruining that boy between you, body and soul; and you are responsible before his Maker and yours. And if--"
"Lady Laura," said the medium, "do you wish to hear any more?"
She made a doubtful little gesture of assent.
"And if you wish to know my reasons for saying this," went on Mr. Cathcart, "you have only to ask for them from Mr. Vincent. He knows well enough why I left spiritualism--if he dares to tell you."
Lady Laura glanced at the medium. He was perfectly still and quiet--looking, watching the old man curiously and half humorously under his heavy eyebrows.
"And I understand," went on the other, "that tonight you are to make an attempt at complete materialization. Very good; then after tonight it may be too late. I have tried to appeal to the boy: he will not hear me. And you too have refused to hear me out. I could give you evidence, if you wished. Ask this gentleman how many cases he has known in the last five years, where complete ruin, body and soul--"
The medium turned a little to the fire, sighing as if for weariness: and at the sound the old man stopped, trembling. It was more obvious than ever that he only held himself in restraint by a very violent effort: it was as if the presence of the medium affected him in an extraordinary degree.
Lady Laura glanced again from one to the other.
"That is all, then?" she said.
His lips worked. Then he burst out-"I am sick of talking," he cried--"sick of it! I have warned you. That is enough. I cannot do more."
He wheeled on his heel and went out. A minute later the two heard the front door bang.
She looked at Mr. Vincent. He was twirling softly in his strong fingers a little bronze candlestick that stood on the mantelpiece: his manner was completely unconcerned; he even seemed to be smiling a little.
For herself she felt helpless. She had taken her choice, impelled to it, though she scarcely recognized the fact, by the entrance of this strong personality; and now she needed reassurance once again. But before she had a word to say, he spoke--still in his serene manner.