She did not look up at the young man beside her, and it was well she

did not, for the dark expression of his face would have frightened

her. Half guessing the truth, and impatient to hear more, he said to

her: "Go on," so sternly, that she started, and replied: "I know you are angry with me and I ought not to have told you."

"I am not angry--not at you at least--go on," was Guy's reply, and

Maddy continued: "She told me that now they had come home it would be different, that

only when invited must I come to the parlor, or anywhere, but must

stay in the servants' part, and eat with Mrs. Noah and Sarah. I'd just

as soon do that. I am no better than they, only, only--the way she

told me made me feel so mean, as if I was not anybody, when I am," and

here Maddy's pride began to rise. "I'm just as good as she, if grandpa

is poor, and I won't stay here to be treated like a nigger by her and

Mr. Guy. I liked him so much too, because he was kind to grandpa and

to me when I was sick. Yes, I did like him so much."

"And how is it now?" Guy asked, wondering who in the world she thought

he was. "How is it now?"

"I s'pose it's wicked to feel such things on Sunday, but, somehow,

what she said keeps making me so bad that I know I hate her, and I

guess I hate Mr. Guy!"

This was Maddy's answer, spoken deliberately, while she looked up at

the young man, who, with a comical expression about his mouth,

answered back: "I am Mr. Guy." "You, you! Oh, I can't bear it! I will die!" and Maddy

sprang up as quickly as if feeling an electric shock.

But Guy's arm was interposed to stop her, and Guy's arm held her back,

while he asked where she was going.

"Anywhere, out of sight where you can never see me again," Maddy

sobbed vehemently. "It is bad enough to have you think me a fool, as

you must; but now, oh what do you think of me?"

"Nothing bad, I assure you," Guy said, still holding her wrist to keep

her there. "I supposed you knew who I was, but as you did not, I

forgive you for hating me so cordially. If you thought I sanctioned

what Mrs. Remington has said to you, you had cause to dislike me, but

Miss Clyde, I do not, and this is the first intimation I have had that

you were to be treated other than as a lady. I am master of Aikenside,

not Mrs. Agnes, who shall be made to understand it."




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