“If she sends me home, I’ll understand. I just knew I had to come, and I’ve done that. Thank you for your help, Persephone.”

Persephone nodded and scurried off to the séance room, presumably to consult with Madame.

Elizabeth took the opportunity to study the other people in the room. They were all women of various ages and stations in life. The smallest and oldest one came forward the moment the door closed behind Persephone.

“You’re new, aren’t you, dear?” she asked.

“I’ve attended séances before, just never at this time,” Elizabeth said, returning the older woman’s smile.

“I’m Mrs. Phineas Darlington,” she said. “I always attend at this time.” She looked to be about Mother Bates’s age. Her face was too plump for age lines, but her eyes and lips were creased from years of use. Her once blond hair was now silvery, but she hadn’t lost her sense of style. Her dress was the height of fashion and obviously custom-made.

“Have you been coming to Madame Ophelia for a long time?” Elizabeth said, carefully not introducing herself. Persephone had called her “Mrs. Gideon” when she came in, so she saw no need to clarify that for Mrs. Darlington.

“For several months now. I’ve spoken to nearly all of my family members who have passed. Who are you trying to contact, my dear?”

“I . . . No one in particular.”

“Oh, you must have someone in mind, or it won’t work. The spirits won’t know who to send to speak with you.”

“That makes sense. Perhaps that is why I haven’t had much luck so far.”

“I’m sure it is. If you aren’t getting messages, it is because you aren’t asking anyone in particular.”

“What kind of messages do you receive?” Elizabeth asked with creditable innocence.

“All sorts,” Mrs. Darlington said proudly.

“I’m never sure what to ask, you see.”

“It often doesn’t matter what you ask. Sometimes you just get advice you didn’t know you needed.”

“What kind of advice?”

Mrs. Darlington glanced around as if afraid of being overheard, although it was obvious everyone else in the room was listening to every word. “Business advice.”

“Why would you need business advice?”

Before Mrs. Darlington could reply, Persephone emerged from the séance room and came straight to Elizabeth. “Madame Ophelia would be pleased to have you attend this afternoon’s séance.”

“I hope you told her how sorry I am to just barge in like this.”

“She understands completely,” Persephone assured her. “One cannot deny the spirits when they speak to us.”

With that piece of wisdom, she announced that Madame was ready and ushered them into the other room. Mrs. Darlington sat beside Elizabeth even though Persephone indicated she should use another chair. Elizabeth gave her a grateful smile.