ew with
her.

In due time, Dr. Le Guise came among them once more, and announced to
Madeline his readiness to conduct her into the presence of his
patient.

"He is quite prepared to see me, then?" questioned Madeline.

"Quite, although I left him a trifle agitated and upset."

As they paused at the door leading from the hall of the west wing, she
said:

"I will go in alone, Dr. Le Guise."

"As you please." Then, as it were an afterthought. "I really believe,
for your own safety, you had better keep Henry near you."

"I shall be in no danger," she replied, and entered the outer chamber,
closing and locking the door after herself.

In answer to her knock, the door of the ante-chamber was unlocked and
opened by Henry. Madeline swept across the threshold and extended her
hand to the faithful fellow, saying:

"Henry, I am glad to see you. I hope you do not find your present
duties too heavy?"

"Not since I knew I was serving you, miss," said the man,
respectfully.

"You are serving me, Henry. I need you here very much; and rest
assured you shall have your reward for all you have done or may do for
me."

Evidently the prospect of reward was not unpleasing to him. His
countenance beamed satisfaction.

"And, Henry," continued his mistress, "attend to this. You are not, on
any account, to give your charge any more of the medicine prepared for
him by the doctor."

A look of surprise shone from the eyes of the negro, but he answered
simply, like the well-trained servant he was: "Yes, miss."

"Above all, Henry, you are to let the doctor think that you administer
all that he gives you."

Henry signified that he fully understood and would obey his
instructions. Then he opened the inner door, and John Arthur and
Madeline Payne stood once more face to face!

For a moment, the two eyed each other in silence. Then John Arthur
said, with a sneer on his lip, and in a tone which proved clearly that
time and imprisonment had not taught him meekness:

"So, you young jade, what escapade have you been up to now? And how
dare you come back here like a young princess? Why don't you keep out
of my house?"

Madeline laughed scornfully. "_Your_ house!--But I forgive you,
step-papa; of course you are not accountable for your words."

Her tone was mockery itself. The man found it difficult to restrain
his wrath as he looked in her scornful face and said: "Don't dare to
pretend to believe that I am crazy! Are you in league