her part in the conversation in a very
nervous, fragmentary manner.

Dinner being announced, Mr. Davlin promptly offered his arm to
Madeline, who accepted it with perfect nonchalance. They followed Cora
to the dining-room, themselves followed by Miss Arthur and Percy.

Where four people separately, and each for his own end, determine to
appear cordial and perfectly at ease, each one bent upon completely
blinding the other three, there must of a necessity be much
conversation, and more or less hilarity, whether real or assumed.

These four, who were waging upon each other secret and deadly war, ate
and drank together; and while Madeline regaled them with a fictitious
account of herself during the time she had been supposed dead, the
others listened and commented, and vied with each other in paying
hypocritical court to the heiress of Oakley.

"You see, step-mamma," said Madeline, as they lingered over their
dessert, "I was never ignorant of what was going on here. My old nurse
kept me informed. When I sent you the fiction of my death, I had no
intention of returning, for I had determined never to live at Oakley
during my step-father's reign. But upon hearing of his insanity, I
resolved to come back, being now, of course, the real head of the
house. Mr. Arthur being _non compos mentis_, I, as heiress, assume
control of my own."

If a wish could have killed, Cora would have closed forever that
insolent smiling mouth. But she felt herself powerless.

Davlin, with inimitable tact, came to her rescue: "Cora will be only
too glad to welcome the queen back to her own. Indeed, she has been
for some time declaring her intention of abdicating, for a time at
least, and taking Mr. Arthur south to some medicinal springs. But the
doctor fears the change will not benefit him."

Madeline turned her eyes upon Cora. "She can't go just yet," she said,
with odd decision; "I want her society. Where is your doctor, Mr.
Davlin?"

"He is up-stairs with his patient, Miss Payne. He usually joins us at
breakfast, but not often at dinner."

The truth was that Lucian, not feeling upon safe ground, had advised
the "doctor" to keep discreetly out of the way of this shrewd young
lady for the present, lest her keen questions should draw out
something not to their advantage.

Miss Payne turned to Cora again. "You have perfect confidence in the
skill of this doctor, step-mamma?"

"Oh, yes!" said Cora, positively; "he has been known to me a