Delphine Gay was born in Aachen (Germany) on 26 January 1804, the same year as the codifier Allan Kardec, and died in the French capital on 29 June 1855. She was a poet and frequented the salons of Mme Récamier. She married Émile de Girardin, a French journalist and politician, and became known as Madame d'Émile de Girardin.

After her marriage in 1831, she became a journalist and wrote interesting chronicles about society in Louis-Philippe's time in the newspaper La Presse from 1836 to 1848 under the pseudonym Vicomte de Launay. These chronicles became known as Parisian Letters. She also published novels, tragedies and comedies. She was also an inspired medium.

As a well-known figure in poetic circles who frequented the literary salons where the celebrities of the day met, it was only natural that she should come into contact with the floating tables.

From her very first contact with the tables, she was convinced of the veracity of the performances. She had the opportunity to meet Professor Rivail in person. Possibly at one of the meetings he attended during his research into the phenomena that haunted Paris.

As a personal friend of Victor Hugo, she was deeply affected by the political events of 1851 and the exile of her friends. True to her friendship, she decided to offer moral comfort to the poor exiles. She set sail and reached Jersey, a small island of 116 square kilometres, on 6 September 1853.

She was completely exhausted. The journey was too strenuous. She was also already ill. Cancer was eating away at her. But she didn't let it get her down dynamically. A little sad and melancholy, but just as happy to see her friends again, she joined Victor Hugo and his family.

Over dinner, she told them about the news from Paris to give the exiles a taste of home. She spoke enthusiastically about the floating tables. A few attempts had been made on the small island of Jersey, but without success.

Without waiting for dessert, Delphine set off in search of a small round table. The sessions were long and tiring. The first five days were apparently unsuccessful.

Victor Hugo, sceptical, attended the sessions so as not to upset his girlfriend. Finally, on Sunday 11 September, his concentration and silence paid off. An announcement was made. An announcement that would change the course of the great French poet's life. It was none other than his daughter Léopoldine who came across the table. His beloved daughter, who had died during their honeymoon, drowned in a lake during a boat trip with her husband.

In ‘The Gospel in the Light of Spiritism’, the spirit Delphine de Girardin signs the message ‘The real misfortune’, in chapter V (Blessed are the afflicted), point 24.