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She listens at the door the next time a séance is held. She is appalled by what she finds, assuming that they are engaged in some form of sorcery. She is rebuffed, but resolves to gain entry when the men are out. Just as she appears to be replaced by the spirit of Leonora, Mrs Battleby hammers on the door, demanding to be admitted. Steinberg craves reassurance that she has forgiven him, but her response is enigmatic. Although the procedure itself had been successful, she never recovered from the chloroform anaesthetic. It turns out to be Mrs Carlile, a patient whose hand Steinberg had amputated. Ricardo and Steinberg’s subsequent colloquy is interrupted by Hannah entering the séance room of her own accord, and soon a spirit form materialises. Mrs Battleby becomes very suspicious as to what is taking place with Hannah in the attic rooms, imagining a sexual element. Ricardo muses that Leonora speaking through Hannah might have a refining effect. As a mere housemaid, and an ignorant one at that, she is unworthy of any greater respect. Ricardo feels guilty for using her in this way but Steinberg argues that she is a legitimate sacrifice in the interests of science.

When Hannah comes round she confides that her powers had caused problems with her family and fiancé back home, so she’s hoping the “cure” will reconcile her with them. The guide urges him to fill her mouth with water, which he does, and the voice continues. When the spirit guide again appears, Steinberg asserts that it is Hannah’s ventriloquism. Hannah has no desire to talk to “sperrits”, refusing even a financial incentive, but suddenly realises that she has been given a sleeping draught and is powerless to resist. Ricardo realises with mounting excitement that this is the ghost of Leonora and urges Hannah to summon her again. Hannah complains about her role in the séances, as they leave her exhausted and she is also finding herself haunted by a foreign-looking woman in a veil. Despite this experience, Steinberg is still sceptical, speculating that Hannah herself was responsible for the spirit voice.

The voice then ceases and Hannah awakens, completely oblivious as to what has happened. Ricardo immediately starts demanding to speak with his dead wife but is admonished by the spirit guide for his impatience. Hannah faints in an armchair and soon a spirit voice addresses them, revealing that Hannah is “one of the finest mediums this world has ever produced.” He warns them to be careful, however, as she will assimilate any spirit that possesses her. She is horrified by the séance room, believing that the men are going to practice vivisection on her.

Although frightened by the men’s proposal, Hannah agrees to it, believing it will allow her to lead a normal life.