He had watched the two narrowly, but he found himself unable to read the true meaning lurking beneath the soft words that fell from the lips of Madeline. He could hear no jar in the music of her voice, could catch no glance that would give the lie to her honeyed words. She was playing her part like a born actress. He had not expected to see Cora accept the situation without a struggle. He was glad to find that there was to be no scene, and yet--somehow he felt himself at a disadvantage. He had viewed the situation from his stand-point, however, and had decided upon his course of action. First, he was resolved not to quit the field until he had made a desperate attempt to regain his power over the heiress of Oakley. Second, he would use stratagem in order to obtain an interview 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?"