ears, that he's not
taken her away to her proper atmosphere."

"Why," in pretty surprise, "I thought she used to be one of your
servants?"

"She was a servant to my first wife," moodily. "I got rid of the
baggage quick enough, when Mrs. Arthur died. She is an old viper, and
put more disobedience into that girl Madeline's head, than I ever
could get out."

"What a horrid old wretch she must be!" shuddering.

Then the conversation dropped, and Cora was satisfied.

"The old woman shall be my tool," she thought, triumphantly.

CHAPTER XXII.

TO BE, TO DO, TO SUFFER.

On the day that followed the events last related, Madeline Payne
returned to Oakley to resume her self-imposed task.

Leaving the train, the girl took the path through the woods. When she
had traversed it half way, she came upon old Hagar, who was seated
upon a fallen log awaiting her. Looking cautiously about, to assure
herself that the interview would have no spectators, Madeline, or
Celine, as we must now call her, seated herself to listen to the
report of Davlin's visit, and the success of Hagar's interview with
Cora.

Expressing herself fully satisfied with what she heard, Celine made
the old woman acquainted with the result of her visit to the city, or
as much of it as was necessary and expedient. Then, after some words
of mutual council, and a promise to visit her that evening, if
possible, the girl lost no time in making her way to the manor, and
straight into the presence of her mistress.

Considering that her maid was--her maid, Miss Arthur welcomed her with
an almost rapturous outburst. Celine had held high place in the
affections of Miss Arthur, truth to tell, since her astonishing
discovery of Mr. Edward Percy, in the character of young Romeo,
promenading within sight of his lady's window.

"Celine," simpered Miss Arthur, while the damsel addressed was
brushing out her mistress's hair, preparatory to building it into a
French wonder; "Celine, I may be wrong in talking so freely to you
about myself and my--my friends, but I observe that you never presume
in the least--"

"Oh, mademoiselle, I could never do that!" cooed the girl, with wicked
double meaning.

"And," pursued Miss Arthur, graciously, "you are really quite a
sagacious and discreet young person."

"Thanks, miladi." Then, as if recollecting herself, "Pardon,
_mademoiselle_, but you are so like her ladyship, _Madame Le Baronne
De Orun_, my very first mistress--