Still I did not speak a word.
"Is Mr.Blake convinced ?" said Miss Staggles, leering towards me.
"Of what ?" I asked.
"Of Mr.Voltaire's power." "Undoubtedly." "Come," said Kaffar, "Mr.Blake is still a sceptic.

I think it fair that he should consent to test this for himself." "Certainly not," I replied.
"But I think it our right," said Voltaire.

"You have expressed your want of faith in our power; now, if you have the courage of a man with an opinion, test the matter.

Sit here as Simon did, and see whether you are right." I thought I heard a voice saying "Don't!" close to my ear, and I hesitated.
At this there was a titter among the young ladies.
"Evidently our Thomas is afraid," said Miss Staggles.
There was an ugly look in her eyes as she said this, but the titter increased into a kind of derisive laugh.
I know it was an evidence of my cowardice, but I could not withstand their laughter.

I forgot the warning voice behind me; I refused to take notice of Mrs.Temple's warning glance; I rose up, went to the chair in the middle of the room, and defiantly said, "There! do all you can with me." Voltaire and Kaffar came up to me, while the rest crowded around.