For a second she encountered Madge's large black eyes, full of trouble, and a satirical smile proved that she enjoyed the poor girl's solicitude.

To deepen it she looked up at Graydon and said something that caused his face to flush with pleasure.

His response was more decisive, for the swift color came into her face, and her eyes drooped.

The by-play was momentary, and would not have been seen by a less vigilant observer than Madge; but to her it gave the undoubted impression that they were lovers.

When Miss Wildmere looked again to see the result of her unkindly strategy, Madge was gone.
In reaction she had grown almost faint, and reached her former retreat with difficulty.