She felt a giddiness creeping over her; how close the air was. Her nerves were at their utmost tension; another strain upon the sharply strung chords would overcome her. She felt this vaguely. If she should be baffled now! She could take fresh heart, could nerve herself anew, if aid came to her, but if _he_ should come she feared, in her now half frenzied condition, to be alone, she was so strangely nervous, so weak! How plainly she saw it, the face of Clarence Vaughan. Oh, it was a good face! When she saw it again she could rest. She had not felt it before, but she did need rest sorely. Thirty-five minutes,--oh, they had been hours to her; weary, weary time! How many a sad watcher has reckoned the flying moments as creeping hours, while sitting lonely, with heavy eyes, trembling frame, and heart almost bursting with its weight of suspense--waiting. Forty minutes--and a footstep in the passage! Her heart almost stopped beating. It was Henry. "I had to wait, as he was busy with a patient," said he, apologetically, handing her the letter she desired. Madeline tore open the missive with eager fingers, and read: _Miss Madeline W._: Thank you for your faith in me. I will meet you at the place and time appointed. Do not fail me. Respectfully, C. VAUGHAN. She drew a long breath of relief. "Thank you, Henry. Now I shall leave this place; promise me that you will not tell your master where I went or how. Will you promise?" "I will, miss," said the man, earnestly. "Is this all I can do?" "If you would be my true friend--if I might trust you, Henry--I would ask more of you. But I should ask you to work against your master. He has wronged me cruelly, and I need a friend who can serve me as you can quite easily. I should not command you as a servant, but ask you to aid me as a true friend, for I think your heart is whiter than his." And Henry was won. Starting forward, he exclaimed: "He treats me as if I were a dog; and you, as if I were white and a gentleman! Let me be your servant, and I will be very faithful; tell me what I can do." "Thank you, Henry; I will trust you. To-morrow, at noon, call at Dr. Vaughan's office and he will tell you where you can find me. Then come to me. You can serve me best by remaining with your master, at present; and I will try, after I have left this place, to reward you as you deserve." "I will obey you, mistress," said the delighted servant. "I shall be glad to serve where I can hear a kind word. And I shall be glad to help you settle accounts with _him_. I will be there to-morrow, no fear for me." She turned, and put on her wrappings with a feeling of exultation. He would come soon, smiling and triumphant, and she would not be there! He should fret and wonder, question and search, but when they met again the power should be on her side. She turned to the waiting servant, saying: "I am ready, Henry."