Those few gently-uttered words affected Madge strangely. She took a couple of steps forward, and then in an instant she was at Rhoda's feet clinging to the skirt of her dress, and sobbing as if her heart would break. So violent was her agitation that Rhoda grew at length alarmed, and had serious thoughts of summoning assistance; but, on trying to move to the bell, she found Madge clinging to her tightly. "No, no," sobbed Madge, "don't leave me--don't go away till you have heard all, and tried to forgive me. Oh, Miss Penwynn, why do you hate me? Why do you think such evil of me as you do?" "I think evil of you?" said Rhoda, with a touch of scorn in her voice that she could not repress. "Madge Mullion, you had passed out of my thoughts." "It is false," cried Madge, looking up sharply. "You think of me every day, and hate me because you think I came between you and your lover." "Have you come here to insult me--to tell me this?" cried Rhoda, trying to release her skirt. "To tell you, not to insult you," said Madge, clinging the more tightly as she felt Rhoda's efforts to get free. "It is I who ought to reproach you, who are blind and mistaken; it is you who have come between me and mine." "Will you loose my dress?" panted Rhoda, growing excited now; "will you leave me?" "Not till I have told you all," cried Madge. "Miss Penwynn, I don't think I have long to live. I could not tell you a lie." "It was mad and foolish to let you be admitted," cried Rhoda, angrily. "You wicked girl, I thought you had come to me for help, and I would not send you empty away, but you insult me for my forbearance." "No," said Madge, hoarsely. "I came to help you, not to ask for help. I feel free to speak now, and I tell you, Rhoda Penwynn, that you have cast away the truest man who ever saw the light." "You wicked girl! Go: leave me," panted Rhoda. "I will not listen;" but she struggled less hard. "You shall listen for his sake, if I die in saying it," panted Madge, as she twisted the stout silk more tightly in her hands, "Mr Trethick never said word of love to me. He never looked even lovingly in my eyes, though, in my pique, I tried to make him, for he loved you too well." "It is false--he sends you here to insult me," panted Rhoda, "and to plead for him. I will have you turned from the house." "It is true," cried Madge; "and you turn from this true, honest gentleman, whose clear, transparent heart you might read at a glance." "This is unbearable," cried Rhoda, bending down and catching at Madge's hands, to try and tear them from her dress. "You may beat me and fight as hard as you like," cried Madge. "I am weak and helpless; but I can cling to you till you have heard, and you shall hear all." "I will not--I can not hear it; it is too late," cried Rhoda, ceasing to drag at Madge's hands, and once more trying to leave the room.