The heads of the local fire-brigade suspected Esther of these attempts at arson, and Dr.Nathan Tupper suggested that she should be flogged.

So Mr.Teed removed Esther to the house of a Mr.
White.
In about a month "all," as Mrs.Nickleby's lover said, "was gas and gaiters".

The furniture either flew about, or broke into flames.
Worse, certain pieces of iron placed as an experiment on Esther's lap "became too hot to be handled with comfort," and then flew away.
Mr.Hubbell himself now came on the scene, and, not detecting imposture, thought that "there was money in it".

He determined to "run" Esther as a powerful attraction, he lecturing, and Esther sitting on the platform.
It did not pay.

The audience hurled things at Mr.Hubbell, and these were the only volatile objects.