About nine o'clock
She listened with touching confidence when the medium assured her that her mother 's exalted spirit was trying to help her . And she promised to bear in mind Dr. Leroy 's injunction that , just before composing herself to sleep , she must hold the thought strongly that she was God 's child , guarded from all evil by the power of God 's love . Also she would search into her heart to find the obstacle that prevented her mother from coming closer to her . About nine o'clock Penelope said she was sleepy and would lie down to rest , at which Seraphine rejoiced , hoping this might indicate a break in the spell of fear that had kept Mrs. Wells in exhausting suspense . Perhaps this was an answer to their prayers . She assisted the patient , lovingly and encouragingly , to prepare herself for the night and at half-past nine left her in bed with the light extinguished and the door leading into the sitting-room open , so that she could hear the slightest call . About twenty minutes later , as Seraphine sat meditating , her attention was attracted by a sound from the bedroom and , looking through the door , she was surprised to see Mrs. Wells sitting up in bed and writing rapidly on a large pad from which she tore sheets now and then , letting these fall to the floor .