Sir George placed his hand caressingly upon Madge's head and turned from Dorothy.
[Illustration] Lady Crawford then approached her brother and put her hand upon his arm, saying:-- "Come with me, George, that I may speak to you in private." She moved toward the door by which she had entered, and Madge quietly took her uncle's hand and led him after Lady Crawford.

Within five minutes Sir George, Aunt Dorothy, and Madge returned to the room.
"Dorothy ?" said Madge in a low voice.
"Here I am, Madge," murmured Dorothy, who was sitting on the bench by the blazoned window.

Madge walked gropingly over to her cousin and sat by her side, taking her hand.

Then Lady Crawford spoke to Dorothy:-- "Your father wishes me to say that you must go to your apartments in Entrance Tower, and that you shall not leave them without his consent.

He also insists that I say to you if you make resistance or objection to this decree, or if you attempt to escape, he will cause you to be manacled and confined in the dungeon, and that no persuasion upon our part will lead him from his purpose." "Which shall it be ?" asked Sir George, directing his question to Lady Crawford.
Dorothy lifted her eyebrows, bit the corner of her lip, shrugged her shoulders, and said:-- "Indeed, it makes no difference to me where you send me, father; I am willing to do whatever will give you the greatest happiness.