Madeline nodded, with a splendid assumption of profound interest. "It's a sad case," she said, pensively. "I almost dread the interview." "I think he is quite collected this morning, and he may be calm throughout. I hope so, for I should not like to have you witness one of his tantrums." "I have seen him in tantrums when he was considered sane," said the girl, with an odd intonation. Then looking up, she saw Henry, who had entered the room and stood staring at her in speechless amazement. Hagar had informed him that his young mistress was in the house. But he was not prepared for the vision of loveliness that the girl presented, as she turned toward him clad in her morning robe of snowy cashmere bordered with swansdown, and trailing after her like a train of snow. Luckily no one noted his start of surprise and quick glance of recognition, and Madeline said: "Is not that my step-father's attendant, doctor? I think he wants you." The "doctor" beckoned Henry to approach, and said, affably: "Well, and how is our patient, Henry?" "About as usual, sir. But he wants to see you." "Oh, he does? Poor soul, I'll come directly, Henry." Then, turning to Madeline: "Shall I break to him the news of your arrival?" "No; not unless you think it unsafe to surprise him." "On the contrary, an agreeable surprise might prove beneficial." The Professor, who had received sundry instructions from Davlin, assumed to be ignorant of the fact that the patient supposed his step-daughter dead. Smiling a little at the hypocrisy of the man, who pretended to have at heart the interest of a patient supposed to be in an excessively nervous state, yet was quite ready to expose that patient to the shock of meeting, without previous preparation, one supposed to be dead and in her grave, Madeline turned, and with a gesture brought Cora to her side. "Is Dr. Le Guise aware that my step-papa believes me to be dead?" she asked. Cora and the Professor looked dubiously at one another for an instant. Then the former, seeing her cue in the face of the latter, said: "He is not." "Well, step-mamma, I am going up to see him soon, and, on second thought, it will be best to have the doctor inform him of my resurrection." Cora nodded. "And," pursued the girl, "I will only say that I desire you, doctor, to inform him that I feigned death for reasons of my own. That I am here in the flesh, and will appear in his presence soon. When you have prepared him for my coming, have the goodness to come down and tell me." Saying this she turned away, after which the Professor quitted the room to obey the summons of his patient. Lucian Davlin had witnessed the interview, the summons and the departure, from a distance. He had found no opportunity for conversing with Cora, as yet, and was sorely puzzled by the present aspect of affairs.